Fourth Industrial Revolution Technologies and Lean Manufacturing in Kenya: a Case Study of Almasi Beverages Limited –eldoret

Abstract

The study's goal was to ascertain the impact of technologies from the fourth industrial revolution on lean manufacturing processes at Almasi Beverages Limited in Eldoret, Kenya. The study was centered on the following theories; Technology Acceptance Model and the resource based view theory. Case study was the research design utilized. Quantitative research methods was used in this investigation. The primary tools for gathering data for this study was questionnaires. Data analysis was done using SPSS (Version 24.0). Descriptive and inferential statistics was used to assess the data correlation and regression model. The findings showed that cloud robotics contributes to the level of lean manufacturing. Correlation analysis was conducted then the findings on correlation between internet of things and lean manufacturing showed Pearson correlation value of 0.894 which indicated a positive relations between the variables. The findings on correlation between cyber-physical systems and lean manufacturing showed Pearson correlation rank value of 0.880 which indicated a positive relationship between the variable items. Finally, the findings discovered that there is strong relationship between 4IR technologies and lean manufacturing. The study concluded that technologies from the 4IR have an impact on lean manufacturing processes at Almasi Beverages Limited in Eldoret, Kenya. There is strong positive relationship between 4IR technologies (cloud robotics, internet of things plus cyberphysical systems). In particular, Cyber-physical system has the highest impact followed by cloud robotics and closely followed by internet of things.