Chapter 1: From Theory to Practice: Conceptualization and Industrial Validation of a Quality 4.0 Transition Roadmap

The advent of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) has profoundly transformed quality management by integrating advanced digital technologies into traditional quality assurance and control systems. While the potential benefits of Quality 4.0 (Q4.0) are substantial, including increased efficiency, real-time monitoring, and predictive decision-making, its adoption poses significant challenges. These include high investment costs, workforce resistance, digital skill shortages, and difficulties integrating new tools with legacy quality systems. Many organizations lack a structured framework to assess their readiness and systematically progress toward digital maturity.

To address these challenges, our research team developed the Q4.0 Capability Roadmap: a practical framework that supports organizations in their digital quality transformation. The roadmap presents a structured maturity model composed of six progressive levels, grouped into two stages—Readiness and Maturity—spanning operational, strategic, and cultural dimensions.

This chapter presents both the conceptual foundation and empirical validation of the roadmap, drawing on case studies from three distinct organizations: a service provider (Company A), a textile manufacturer (Company B), and a tool manufacturer (Company C). These case studies illustrate varied paths to Q4.0 adoption, revealing common challenges, effective enablers, and best practices to support successful digital quality transformation across diverse industries.