Model of Quality and Safety Management Based on the Industry 4.0 Approach

Abstract

Technological transformations resulting from the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) have led to a paradigm shift in quality and safety management practices within manufacturing industries. In this regard, the present study aims to design an integrated model for quality and safety management under the Industry 4.0 framework. This research is exploratory in nature and adopts a qualitative methodology based on grounded theory using the Strauss and Corbin (1998) approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 experts from industry, academia, and technology organizations. The data were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding methods. As a result, 22 conceptual categories were extracted and organized into six core dimensions: causal conditions, contextual conditions, intervening factors, core phenomenon, strategies, and outcomes. The central category was identified as “Designing an Integrated Model of Quality and Safety Management in the Context of Industry 4.0.” According to the findings, factors such as weak technological infrastructure, cultural resistance, insufficient professional training, and lack of supportive policies are among the key barriers to the implementation of this model. Conversely, strategies such as process digitalization, formulation of modern standards, and the development of employees’ digital competencies play a crucial role in the realization of the model. The outcomes of implementing this model include enhanced productivity, improved product quality, and increased safety within industrial environments. By presenting a localized and data-driven model, this study offers a strategic framework that can guide industrial managers, policymakers, and educational institutions on the path toward digital transformation and the simultaneous advancement of organizational quality and safety.