**Fourth Industrial Revolution: Current Practices, Challenges, and Opportunities Challenges, and Opportunities**

Antonella Petrillo, Fabio De Felice, Raffaele Cioffi and

**Fourth Industrial Revolution: Current Practices,** 

DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.72304

Antonella Petrillo, Fabio De Felice, Raffaele Cioffi and Federico Zomparelli Federico Zomparelli Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.72304

#### **Abstract**

As editors of this book, we very much thank the authors who accepted to contribute with their invaluable research as well as the referees who reviewed these papers for their effort, time, and invaluable suggestions. Our special thanks go to Ms. Marina Dusevic, Publishing Process Manager, for her precious support and her team for this opportunity to serve as

> **Prof. Antonella Petrillo** Department of Engineering

> **Prof. Raffaele Cioffi** Department of Engineering

> > **Prof. Fabio De Felice**

University Parthenope of Naples, Italy

University Parthenope of Naples, Italy

Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Italy

guest editors.

VIII Preface

The globalization and the competitiveness are forcing companies to rethink and to innovate their production processes following the so-called Industry 4.0 paradigm. It represents the integration of tools already used in the past (big data, cloud, robot, 3D printing, simulation, etc.) that are now connected into a global network by transmitting digital data. The implementation of this new paradigm represents a huge change for companies, which are faced with big investments. In order to benefit from the opportunities offered by the smart revolution, companies must have the prerequisites needed to withstand changes generated by "smart" system. In addition, new workers who face the world of work 4.0 must have new skills in automation, digitization, and information technology, without forgetting soft skills. This chapter aims to present the main good practices, challenges, and opportunities related to Industry 4.0 paradigm.

**Keywords:** Industry 4.0, innovation, opportunities, digitalization, economy
