Transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0: the role of intermediary organizations

Frame of the research. Firms and intermediary organizations face the transition from strategic-operational management based on a techno-centric approach typical of Industry 4.0 to a value-centric approach required by Industry 5.0. Existing literature, however, investigates the role of innovation intermediary organizations in transition contexts mainly with reference to the green transition, neglecting to deepen the other axes of Industry 5.0: triple bottom line of sustainability, resilience, and human-centeredness. Purpose of the paper. The research aims to understand the ability of intermediary organizations to transit from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 by answering the following research question (RQ): Does the different configuration of intermediary organizations launched in support of Industry 4.0 affect their readiness to Industry 5.0 transition? Methodology. The study conducts a multiple case study of 23 intermediary organizations in the Metropolitan City of Turin through an analysis of the websites of the 23 organizations. The research is enriched with 9 interviews and 1 focus group. Results. The results highlight limited readiness of the investigated organizations in the transition to Industry 5.0, particularly in the human-centeredness axis. Research limitations. The study is at an exploratory stage and the transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 is a phenomenon still in an emerging phase, consequently future studies should be carried out to compare the analysis with more geographic realities and to consider more intermediary organizations. Managerial implications. The results can be useful: to intermediary organizations, to gain awareness of their role in Industry 5.0 transition; to policy makers, to direct policies to develop and accompany businesses. Originality of the paper. The originality lies in analyzing intermediary organizations – traditionally studied in their role as network developers supporting innovation – in a context of transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0.