The research on BiH industry readiness for Industry 4.0 was conducted within the framework of the project “Advancing Industry 4.0 and International Sustainability Standards through the UN Global Compact Initiative in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNDP BiH). The research was conducted in collaboration between the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina and DevCon between August and October 2025, with the participation of enterprises and institutional stakeholders in BiH.
The objective of the research was to assess the capacities of enterprises and institutional stakeholders for the transformation towards Industry 4.0, including their readiness to adopt and implement relevant standards and practices. The research included an analysis of existing capacities for digitalization, human resources and competencies required for the application of Industry 4.0 technologies, as well as an assessment of the current level of Industry 4.0 solutions in selected industrial sectors. It examined the challenges and barriers encountered in the process of introducing Industry 4.0, the level of institutional cooperation and support that can act as a catalyst for this process, as well as the future plans and investments of enterprises towards the digital and green transition in BiH.
The results of the assessment are intended for business representatives, policymakers, support institutions, and international and domestic projects focusing on private sector development, industry, technology and digitalization. The research is important for designing tailored interventions and support mechanisms aimed at improving the readiness of enterprises and other stakeholders for the transformation towards Industry 4.0.
The research findings shed light on the transformation capacity and interest of the BiH enterprise sector in moving towards Industry 4.0. The research identifies good practices, as well as opportunities and missing systemic elements that could enable the faster and more productive achievement of Industry 4.0 standards. For policymakers, it provides an overview of the current situation, as well as the plans, needs, capacities and opportunities of the private sector, thereby enabling informed decision-making in the development of strategies and plans, as well as legislative and regulatory solutions and public policies that will facilitate the introduction, adoption and application of Industry 4.0 practices.