Abstract
Based on the Neo-Schumpeterian approach on technology and economic change, this paper proposes to evaluate the effects of the diffusion of Industry 4.0 technologies in terms of the technological dynamics, market structure and intra-sectoral heterogeneity within the Brazilian steel industry. In questionnaires answered by a representative group of companies it was observed that the Industry 4.0 technologies tend to incrementally improve the operational efficiency and productivity of the respective activity rather than revolutionize it, remaining unchanged the minimum optimal scale both of the plants and of the specific equipment. The results also show that the best opportunities for application of such technologies lie in the refining and rolling stages. Concerning the market structure, “technological clusters” tend to favor established companies, due to the lack of important changes to the intensity and nature of barriers to entry.
Keywords:
Industry 4.0; Technological innovation; Brazilian steel industry
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Source: Own elaboration from the companies consulted.Note: The curves of levels represent the intensity of the diffusion rhythm, interpreted from the center to the edge as: very low; low; moderate; high; too high.