AI Adoption in Production : Encouraging and Discouraging Factors in Swedish Manufacturing Firms as Case Study

Sammanfattning

This qualitative research explores the adoption of Artificial Intelligence technologies in manufacturing firms, focusing on the benefits, barriers, incentives, disincentives, and practical aspects of integrating AI into production. The study is in the context of Industry 4.0 and Supply Chain 4.0, highlighting how AI-driven digital transformations enhance operational efficiency and sustainability in manufacturing. Drawing from a systematic literature review and empirical data collected through semi-structured interviews with industry experts and managers in Sweden—a leading nation in technological innovation—the research identifies key factors that encourage or discourage AI adoption in production. Encouraging factors include production acceleration, cost reduction, quality enhancement, and competition improvement while discouraging factors encompass the lack of supportive skills and culture, initial cost concerns, technical issues, risk and uncertainty issues, and ethical side concerns. The findings emphasize a nuanced understanding of these factors, bridging the gap between theory and practice and providing actionable insights and recommendations for manufacturing firms seeking to adopt AI technologies strategically. This study contributes to academic discourse by offering a comprehensive examination of AI's transformative potential in production and practical guidance for overcoming challenges, ultimately encouraging firms to leverage AI for sustainable growth and resilience.