Emergent virtual networks amid emergency: insights from a case study

Let's Print an Ecology in 3D (and 4D)

The concept of ecology, historically rooted in the economy of nature, currently needs to evolve to encompass the intricate web of interactions among humans and various organisms in the environment, which are influenced by anthropogenic forces. In this review, the definition of ecology has been adapted to address the dynamic interplay of energy, resources, and information shaping both natural and artificial ecosystems. Previously, 3D (and 4D) printing technologies have been presented as potential tools within this ecological framework, promising a new economy for nature. However, despite the considerable scientific discourse surrounding both ecology and 3D printing, there remains a significant gap in research exploring the interplay between these directions. Therefore, a holistic review of incorporating ecological principles into 3D printing practices is presented, emphasizing environmental sustainability, resource efficiency, and innovation. Furthermore, the 'unecological' aspects of 3D printing, disadvantages related to legal aspects, intellectual property, and legislation, as well as societal impacts, are underlined. These presented ideas collectively suggest a roadmap for future research and practice. This review calls for a more comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted impacts of 3D printing and the development of responsible practices aligned with ecological goals.

From Industry 4.0 towards Industry 5.0: A Review and Analysis of Paradigm Shift for the People, Organization and Technology

The industry is a key driver of economic development. However, changes caused by introduction of modern technologies, and increasing complexity of products and production, directly affect the industrial enterprises and workers. The critics of the Industry 4.0 paradigm emphasized its orientation to new technologies and digitalization in a technocratic way. Therefore, the new industrial paradigm Industry 5.0 appeared very soon and automatically triggered a debate about the role of, and reasons for applying, the new paradigm. Industry 5.0 is complementing the existing Industry 4.0 paradigm with the orientation to the worker who has an important role in the production process, and that role has been emphasized during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this research, there is a brief discussion on main drivers and enablers for introduction of these new paradigms, then a literature-based analysis is carried out to highlight the differences between two paradigms from three important aspects—people, organization, and technology. The conclusion emphasizes the main features and concerns regarding the movement towards Industry 5.0, and the general conclusion is that there is a significant change of the main research aims from sustainability towards human-centricity. At the end, the analysis of maturity models that evaluates enterprises’ readiness to introduce features of new paradigms is given as well.