Study goals
Describe opportunities for automating supply processes in light of Industry 4.0. We sought to identify the reasons for implementing the Strategic Sourcing model, evaluating the perception of employees, and presenting automation opportunities in the light of Industry 4.0.
Relevance / originality
Expansion of the discussion of new models of supply chain management, filling scientific gaps, especially in the application of Strategic Sourcing, in light of the characteristics of Industry 4.0, especially in the context of a large multinational organization.
Methodology / approach
Case study of a descriptive research nature, with a qualitative approach and an exploratory-descriptive objective. A semi-structured script was used in the interviews with purchasing professionals from the organization's supply department. As an analysis technique, content analysis was applied.
Main results
The company defined the management model based on its growth and the need to control management indicators, thus allowing the identification of possible process automation and using, above all, the principles of industry 4.0 for the activities of the purchasing department.
Theoretical / methodological contributions
Validation of attributes associated with the Strategic Sourcing model for supply management, supported by the scientific perspective contemplated in this study, identifying above all opportunities for automating supply processes in the light of Industry 4.0 in the purchasing department.
Social / management contributions
The study allowed the company 'Ômega' a more accurate assessment of the impacts of adopting Strategic Sourcing in its integrated logistics model, demonstrating and reinforcing the applicability of the model in the railway segment, optimizing processes and, as a consequence, improving relationships.