for Project Management in Africa
SECOND EDITION
By Dr. Blessing Takawira
South Africa
INTRODUCTION TO INDUSTRY 5.0
Defining Industry 5.0
Industry 5.0 represents a significant evolution in industrial practices, integrating human creativity with advanced technologies (Roblek et al., 2020). Unlike Industry 4.0, which emphasises automation and data exchange, Industry 5.0 focuses on sustainability, human-centric design, and resilience, shifting from efficiency to value creation for society (Nahavandi, 2019). See Table 1 below. This integration fosters collaboration between humans and machines, leading to enhanced innovation and personalised production (Javaid & Haleem, 2020).
Table 1: Five Industrial Revolutions
Source: Takawira (2024)
Significance of Industry 5.0
Industry 5.0 promises to revolutionise economies by enabling more personalised production, fostering new business models, and creating high-value jobs (Xu et al., 2021). It aims to create a more inclusive industrial landscape by prioritising human well-being and environmental sustainability (Nahavandi, 2019). The synergy between humans and technology in Industry 5.0 has the potential to unlock unprecedented levels of creativity and problem-solving capabilities (Javaid & Haleem, 2020). See Figure 1 below.
Figure 1: Industry 5.0
Source: Takawira (2024)
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES SHAPING INDUSTRY 5.0
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
AI and machine learning are transforming manufacturing processes through predictive maintenance, quality control, and supply chain optimisation (Lee et al., 2018). Cognitive automation enhances project management by improving risk assessment and resource allocation (Pan & Zhang, 2021). AI also enables personalised products and services at scale, meeting individual customer needs while maintaining efficiency (Chui et al., 2018).
Internet of Things (IoT)
IoT creates interconnected ecosystems where machines, devices, and humans communicate seamlessly (Whitmore et al., 2015). This leads to more responsive and adaptable project management. The vast amount of data generated by IoT devices provides valuable insights for project managers to make informed decisions and optimise operations (Brous et al., 2020). IoT facilitates real-time collaboration across different project stages and locations (Xu et al., 2014).
Robotics and Automation
Collaborative robots (cobots) work alongside humans to perform tasks precisely and efficiently, enhancing productivity and safety in project environments (Villani et al., 2018). Automation technologies streamline repetitive and hazardous tasks, allowing human workers to focus on more strategic and creative aspects of project management (Chen et al., 2021). The Robotics as a Service (RaaS) model enables businesses to deploy robotics solutions with lower upfront costs, making advanced technology accessible for various project scales (Zhong et al., 2017).
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Editor’s note: Second Editions are previously published papers that have continued relevance in today’s project management world, or which were originally published in conference proceedings or in a language other than English. Original publication acknowledged; authors retain copyright. This paper was originally presented at a Project Management South Africa (PMSA) Kwa Zulu branch event in Durban, South Africa in July 2024. It is republished here with the permission of the author and conference organizers.
How to cite this paper: Takawira, B. (2024). The Nexus of Emerging Technologies for Industry 5.0 for Project Management in Africa; originally presented at the PMSA KZA branch conference in Durban, South Africa in July; republished in the PM World Journal, Vol. XIII, Issue VIII, August 2024. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/pmwj144-Aug2024-Takawira-Nexus-of-emerging-technologies-for-industry-5.0-for-PM-in-Africa.pdf
About the Author
Dr Blessing Takawira
Johannesburg, South Africa
Dr Blessing Takawira is an experienced Business and Supply Chain Management Expert and Academic Lecturer with over a decade of expertise in business, procurement and supply chain management, strategic leadership, research and student supervision. Holds a PhD in Business Management, specialising in Supply Chain Management. Experienced in teaching and learning undergraduate and postgraduate students in various business management modules. Proven track record in enhancing supply chain operations, publishing scholarly articles, and leading academic courses. Committed to leveraging deep industry and teaching experience to contribute to academic excellence and operational success in high-level management and educational positions. He can be contacted at takawirablessing@gmail.com
