Professor Marta Götz, Deputy Rector for Scientific Research at Vistula University, explored the importance of access to knowledge and the role of business relations and institutional support in creating an ecosystem relevant to digital transformation in the economy during her NAWA scholarship in Hamburg.

The three-month research fellowship within the framework of the Bekker Programme included research at three German centres: the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW), the German National Library of Economics and the Hamburg Aviation cluster.

NAWA: What do we mean by the term Industry 4.0?

Professor Marta Götz, Deputy Rector for Scientific Research at Vistula University: Fashionable as this term has recently been, Industry 4.0 (I4.0) is difficult to define precisely. Industry 4.0 is therefore sometimes identified with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, digital transformation, a kind of fusion of the real and virtual worlds, services and pure industrial production (hybridization), or a new form of smart manufacturing sponsored by governments as part of industrial policy. It is described as a multidimensional concept of creating added value, a comprehensive system of interdisciplinary technologies, among which the most popular are augmented reality, artificial intelligence, autonomous robots, big data or machine learning.

How does Industry 4.0 shape the reality around us?

Importantly, Industry 4.0 is not only about new technological solutions, but also about changing business models. It is often identified with a radical form of innovation, strongly transforming the market and its main players. The scale, scope, but also the pace of change cannot be overestimated, just like the diverse and multifaceted, not always positive (at least in the short term) impact on society. Industry 4.0 is an “evolutionary revolution”.

What kind of research did you conduct as part of your scholarship?

My research was prompted by the inconsistency and paradox between the concepts of a cluster, a geographically localized, spatial category, and digital business transformation, Industry 4.0, encompassing a range of technologies that enable remote cooperation and, in fact, reduce the role of geographical distance.

The research covered issues at the junction of various disciplines – regional studies, economic geography, entrepreneurship, management, or economic issues of competitiveness and innovation. My scholarship was essentially a research fellowship at the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW). It involved conducting research on the role of clusters in digital transformation processes with a particular focus on geographical and sectoral stretching processes and the role of common industrial assets and related diversity.

In addition, I was able to acquire materials for my research through a search at the ZBW – Leibniz-Informationszentrum Wirtschaft, the world’s largest economic library. I also had a study visit at the Hamburg aviation cluster (HAv) to conduct field research in the form of semi-structured interviews.

Why did your research project focus on the Hamburg aviation cluster?

HAv or Hamburg Aviation cluster is officially listed as Industry 4.0 cluster. It is made up of entities representing the aerospace sector (including aeronautics and space). At the same time it is an award-winning centre distinguished by the European Commission as one of the 40 leading clusters in Europe. As planned, using the example of HAv I tried to find out the specific elements that may determine the attractiveness of clusters in the era of Industry 4.0, but also how the ongoing processes of digital transformation – networking, digitalization, automation and robotization – may modify the cluster itself: change its basic characteristics.

What impact does the establishment of similar clusters have on the development of an environment relevant to Industry 4.0?

Clusters seem to be predestined for the development and implementation of solutions of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Typical attributes of clusters: an environment conducive to the creation and dissemination of knowledge, technology transfer, relations, trust and strong ties resulting from the proximity of entities, the effects of scale achieved thanks to the critical mass of entities or, finally, coordination and management support of cluster organizations cannot be overestimated for the implementation of Industry 4.0 – radical innovations involving high market uncertainty.

Referring to how Industry 4.0 can have a feedback effect on clusters, it can be assumed that by its very nature Industry 4.0 will stimulate certain behaviours and modifications as it prefers an inclusive and interdisciplinary approach. The analysis of the case of an aviation (aeronautics) cluster, at the same time representing Industry 4.0, makes it possible to enrich the current knowledge on the importance of clusters in the processes of digital transformation and the potential impact of this transformation on the functioning of the cluster.

What is the practical dimension of the results of your research? 

The preliminary results indicate the need to focus on a single company level. This is due to the identified conditionality of certain elements and the benefits of certain activities. Depending on the size of the company and its position in the network, there will be different proportions of benefits resulting from specialization or diversification of activities, as well as the degree of progress in implementing Industry 4.0.

The case of HAv confirms that the cluster can be seen as an organizational format for the implementation of I4.0 technologies, and that the universal nature of I4.0 can be a common challenge that “binds” various entities – members of the cluster. Industry 4.0 means not only modern technologies, but also innovation of the business model and transformation of industrial production towards intelligent, interconnected technological systems.

What was the impact of the NAWA scholarship on your development as a scientist?

Aimed at providing a comprehensive picture of the interdependence of digital transformation of business and clusters, the research fellowship gave me a unique opportunity to combine research at three recognized institutions: the host Kiel Institute for the World Economy (a member of the Leibniz PhD Network, the author of forecasts for the Federal Government, high-ranking in the IDEAS/RePEc); the ZBW Library (member of the Leibnitz community, the world’s largest library of economic science); and the Hamburg Aviation cluster (Leading Edge cluster, Gold Medal of ECEI; the third aviation centre in the world).

A stay in a renowned centre enabled me to learn more about good research practices – in terms of conducting field research, analysis, searching for materials or organizing scientific seminars.

I think that it is worth pointing out that the Bekker Programme is more than just a stay and fellowship. For me it actually began from the moment I prepared my application for the call. In fact, the first results appeared before the actual launch. The fellowship itself helped me to improve my competences, e.g. in the area of substantive argumentation skills in scientific research; improving forms of scientific presentation – presenting and discussing research results; applying tools in qualitative research in grounded theory methodology (GTM), better formulation of possible recommendations for conducting cluster policy in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution as well as improving my teaching skills thanks to discussions and exchange of experiences with other experts and reviewing skills through discussions and joint assessments.

If you were to encourage other scientists to take part in the Bekker Programme, what is the greatest value of a NAWA scholarship?

NAWA’s Bekker Programme is a very valuable, tailor-made call that allows scientists to carry out their research work in selected scientific units worldwide. Thanks to its flexibility it gives a lot of freedom of research. I believe that the programme creates an opportunity for, and is in line with the concept of, the internationalization of Polish science, the Polish system of higher education – and this is done not only in the strict sense of a specific joint “Polish-x” conference, grant or article, but by making it possible for Polish scientists to stay and do research in foreign centres, by opening their research to foreign influences and by acquiring a specific international research and scientific expertise. Thank you very much for this opportunity!

Thank you for your time.

Prof. Marta Götz, Professor at Vistula University, NAWA scholarship holder, during a visit to the Hamburg aviation cluster. Photo: private archive of Professor  M. Götz.

Prof. Marta Götz is a research and teaching fellow at Vistula University (AFiBV); since August 2016 she has served as Deputy Rector for Scientific Research. A graduate of the Poznań University of Economics and Business (UEP), Aalborg University (AAU) in Denmark, Postgraduate Pedagogical Training at the SGH Warsaw School of Economics and a scholarship holder of the SPIRIT (AAU) doctoral school programme. She earned her doctoral and postdoctoral degrees (dr hab.) in economics at the Department of International Economics of the UEP. She implemented and managed projects funded within the framework of the National Science Centre (NCN) and Visegrad Fund calls. She worked as assistant professor at the Institute for Western Affairs in Poznań (2007–2015) and assistant at the Collegium of World Economy of the SGH Warsaw School of Economics (2004–2006). Her research interests include: foreign direct investment (FDI), grounded theory methodology (GTM), clusters, Industry 4.0 and international competitiveness.

How to receive a NAWA scholarship under the Bekker Programme? 

Detailed information about the NAWA programme can be found HERE

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