A Preliminary Analysis on Korean University Students’ Readiness Level for Industry 4.0 Revolution

Year 2019, Volume: 6 Issue: 1, 70 - 83, 01.06.2019

Hasan Tinmaz , Jin Hwa Lee

https://doi.org/10.17275/per.19.6.6.1

Cited By: 8

Abstract

While
South Korea has been taking its place in Industry 4.0 technologies and
processes (Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning,
and so forth), some issues still seem untouched. One of these issues is the
readiness of current university students regarding Industry 4.0 and related
issues. While countries are being reshaped by Industry 4.0, people realize that
some professions are vanishing, re-defined or emerging. Therefore, today’s
students must be ready for these Industry 4.0 changes and make their personal
development agenda accordingly. Otherwise, the scenario of people losing their
jobs due to technological advancements will become true. As the waves of
Industry 4.0 are fast approaching to young generations of South Korean society,
the study aimed to contribute to the existing Industry 4.0 literature from a
social perspective. Researchers developed a literature-based survey and
utilized convenient sampling approach (n=129) to unfold students’ readiness
level. Statistically analysed data explored that participants are not well
aware of Industry 4.0 fundamentals and stay sceptical and alert for its
implementation which is believed to bring more job opportunities whilst some
current job titles disappear. It is clear that changes in higher education
institutions in parallel with the emerging Industry 4.0 technologies are
inevitable.

Keywords

Industry 4.0, South Korea, readiness, higher education, awareness

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