Workplace implications of Industry 4.0 at the Port of Barcelona

Abstract: Studied Case: This thesis focuses the research on the impact of Industry 4.0 at the Port of Barcelona. It considers of relevance the affect that the fourth industrial revolution is taking place in the workplaces all around the world. The researcher takes the case of the logistics service provider as the Port of Barcelona to understand the implication that the five major technologies characteristic of Industry 4.0 have in the functioning of the port. Purpose: The purpose of this research is to get deep understanding of how a logistical company implements Industry 4.0 and how this affects the workplace. On a more particular level, the purpose of this thesis is to analyse this workplace alteration caused by the application of Industry 4.0 for the Port of Barcelona. The research will be constructed by obtaining qualitative data through interviews to managers and employees of the Port of Barcelona. Methodology: The methodology used throughout the thesis follows a qualitative approach with inductive reasoning. The data was obtained from semi-structured interviews completed through purposive sampling of managers working in different departments at the Port Authority of the Port of Barcelona and at the terminal BEST. These interviewees, 13 in total, were representative of the port administrative departments considered of more relevance in relation to the topic of Industry 4.0. Conclusions: This master thesis has obtained data through interviews that were addressed to managers at the Port Authority and at the terminal BEST of the Port of Barcelona. The results of these interviews indicated that the port is broadly competitive regarding technology innovations characteristic of Industry 4.0. On the other hand, different difficulties from the public nature of the organization were also presented as a burden to the proper development of the port.