Digital Transformations in the Challenge of Activity and Work

4Robotization in Industries: A Focus on SMEs

Based on a longitudinal case study conducted in a French industrial SME, this chapter aims to improve understanding of the challenges of robotization in small and medium enterprises. After the analysis of the implementation of a packaging robot in this SME, we will draw lessons from this technological adventure, which is still in a state of flux, around the need for pragmatic and rigorous support. In this respect, the Robot Start PME program (2013–2017) highlights the key factors of success of a technological change in the context of Industry 4.0, particularly in terms of methodological tools.

4.1. Introduction

According to Dudézert (2018), the notion of digital transformation has developed strongly in business discourse since 2013. Based on the argument of a quest for competitiveness, robotization, defined here as the implementation of robots to perform repetitive tasks in industry instead of humans, is being implemented at a fast rate around the world. In this chapter, “robots” refers to the industrial robots which are used to manufacture all types of products, although they are mainly present in the automotive industry. Welding, demolition, cleaning, packaging or monitoring robots are among the most common examples today. According to a June 2019 study by Oxford Economics, the number of robots used worldwide has tripled over the past two decades to reach a total of 2.25 million. Forecasts for 2030 predict around 20 million robots, ...