As the Fourth Industrial Revolution advances, smart factories have become a new manufacturing paradigm, integrating technologies such as Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and big data analytics to overcome traditional manufacturing limitations and enhance global competitiveness. This study offers a comprehensive approach by evaluating both technological and economic performance of smart factory Research and Development (R&D) projects, addressing gaps in previous studies that focused narrowly on either aspect. The research combines Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modeling and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to quantitatively compare the efficiency of various topics. This integrated approach not only identifies key research themes but also evaluates how effectively resources are utilized within each theme, supporting strategic decision-making for optimal resource allocation. Additionally, non-parametric statistical tests are applied to detect performance differences between topics, providing insights into areas of comparative advantage. Unlike traditional DEA methods, which face limitations in generalizing results, this study offers a more nuanced analysis by benchmarking efficiency across thematic areas. The findings highlight the superior performance of projects incorporating AI, IoT, and big data, as well as those led by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy (MOTIE) and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The regional analysis reveals significant contributions from non-metropolitan areas, emphasizing the need for balanced development. This research provides policymakers and industry leaders with strategic insights, guiding the efficient allocation of R&D resources and fostering the development of smart factories aligned with global trends and national goals.

본 연구는 한국노동연구원의 사업체패널에 새롭게 포함된 스마트공장 관련 정 보들을 활용하여 스마트공장이 노동수요에 미칠 영향을 추정했다. 스마트공장의 도입은 전 반적으로 생산직의 업무량을 감소시키며, 스마트공장 수준이 고도화 될 수록 업무량 감소 정 도는 더욱 커진다. 특히 동일제품을 반복 생산하는 공정에서 두드러진다. 반대로 스마트공장 이 표방하는 지능화 및 연결성과 관련된 관리직, 기술전문직 등의 직종이나, 다양한 제품의 혼류 생산을 구현하는 과정의 생산직의 경우 업무량이 늘어나는 것이 관찰된다. 이는 기존 연구에서 제시한 결과와 전반적으로 부합한다. 본 연구의 의의는 최종 노동수요가 아닌 스마 트공장이 표준적인 업무량에 직접적으로 미치는 영향을 추정했다는 데 있다.

A Smart factories are systems that enable quick response to customer demands, reduce defect rates, and maximize productivity. They have evolved from manual labor-intensive processes to automation and now to cyber-physical systems with the help of information and communication technology. However, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are still unable to implement even the initial stages of smart factories due to various environmental and economic constraints. Additionally, there is a lack of awareness and understanding of the concept of smart factories. To address this issue, the Cooperationbased Smart Factory Construction Support Project was launched. This project is a differentiated support project that provides customized programs based on the size and level of the company. Research has been conducted to analyze the impact of this project on participating and non-participating companies. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of the support policy and suggest efficient measures for improvement. Furthermore, the research aims to provide direction for future support projects to enhance the manufacturing competitiveness of SMEs. Ultimately, the goal is to improve the overall manufacturing industry and drive innovation.

In this study, we propose a novel approach to analyze big data related to patents in the field of smart factories, utilizing the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modeling method and the generative artificial intelligence technology, ChatGPT. Our method includes extracting valuable insights from a large data-set of associated patents using LDA to identify latent topics and their corresponding patent documents. Additionally, we validate the suitability of the topics generated using generative AI technology and review the results with domain experts. We also employ the powerful big data analysis tool, KNIME, to preprocess and visualize the patent data, facilitating a better understanding of the global patent landscape and enabling a comparative analysis with the domestic patent environment. In order to explore quantitative and qualitative comparative advantages at this juncture, we have selected six indicators for conducting a quantitative analysis. Consequently, our approach allows us to explore the distinctive characteristics and investment directions of individual countries in the context of research and development and commercialization, based on a global-scale patent analysis in the field of smart factories. We anticipate that our findings, based on the analysis of global patent data in the field of smart factories, will serve as vital guidance for determining individual countries' directions in research and development investment. Furthermore, we propose a novel utilization of GhatGPT as a tool for validating the suitability of selected topics for policy makers who must choose topics across various scientific and technological domains.

Recently, small and medium-sized manufacturing companies have shown increased interest in and participation in smart factories in order to survive in market competition. However, many SMEs build smart factories without a systematic review or preparation, which leads to them not being able to use them properly. This study considers the main reason for the low utilization rate of smart factories to be a lack of sufficient reflection of user requirements. Therefore, a method and procedure for deriving the priority of smart factory requirement functions and operating performance indicators based on QFD is proposed as a solution to this issue.

Manufacturing process mining performs various data analyzes of performance on event logs that record production. That is, it analyzes the event log data accumulated in the information system and extracts useful information necessary for business execution. Process data analysis by process mining analyzes actual data extracted from manufacturing execution systems (MES) to enable accurate manufacturing process analysis. In order to continuously manage and improve manufacturing and manufacturing processes, there is a need to structure, monitor and analyze the processes, but there is a lack of suitable technology to use. The purpose of this research is to propose a manufacturing process analysis method using process mining and to establish a manufacturing process mining system by analyzing empirical data. In this research, the manufacturing process was analyzed by process mining technology using transaction data extracted from MES. A relationship model of the manufacturing process and equipment was derived, and various performance analyzes were performed on the derived process model from the viewpoint of work, equipment, and time. The results of this analysis are highly effective in shortening process lead times (bottleneck analysis, time analysis), improving productivity (throughput analysis), and reducing costs (equipment analysis).

The purpose of this study is to suggest a plan to improve the level of acceptance of related technologies and the transition to smart factories of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises by using ‘technology readiness’ and ‘integrated technology acceptance model’. To this end, the research hypothesis was verified by collecting questionnaire data from 130 small and medium- sized manufacturing companies in Korea and conducting path analysis. First, optimism affects performance expectations, social influence, and facilitation conditions, innovation affects performance expectations, effort expectations, and social influence, discomfort affects performance expectations, social influence, and facilitation conditions, and anxiety affects effort expectations, social influence and facilitation conditions. has been proven to affect Finally, performance expectations, effort expectations, social influence, and facilitation conditions were verified to have a significant positive effect on the intention to accept technology.

The smart factory is an important system that can reduce defects, maximize productivity, and respond to customer needs, from the labor-intensive era of traditional small and medium-sized manufacturing companies through the automation era to CPS using ICT. However, small and medium-sized manufacturers often fall short of the basic stage due to economic and environmental constraints, and there are many companies that do not even recognize the concept of a smart factory. In this situation, to expand the smart factory of small and medium-sized enterprises, the project to support the establishment of a smart factory for the win-win between large and small enterprises. The win-win smart factory construction support project provides a customized differentiation program support project according to the size and level of the company for all domestic manufacturing SMEs regardless of whether or not they are dealing with Samsung. In this study, we analyze the construction status and introduction performance of companies participating in the win-win smart factory support project to find out whether they have been helpful in management and to find efficient ways to improve support policies, and to suggest the direction of continuous support projects to improve the manufacturing competitiveness of SMEs in the future.

This study examines the effects of participation purpose, corporate readiness, and acceptance of changes that may occur in the course of expert guidance on the performance of smart factory. For this study, 129 questionnaires obtained from SMEs participating in the Smart Meister support project were used, and SPSS 18.0 and the AMOS 18.0 program were used for statistical processing for empirical analysis of the hypotheses test. It was found that the company's business participation motivation and readiness status had a significant effect on the acceptance and cooperation of changes that occurred during the consulting process. In addition, the acceptance and cooperation of changes within the company had a significant effect on the satisfaction with the Meister support project and the financial performance. Companies participating in the Meister support project need to clarify their motives for participating in the project and make stable corporate readiness in advance. In addition, based on the CEO’s support, it is necessary to have a motivational program and to build an organizational culture that can actively accept innovation.

Ppuri or Root technology primarily includes technologies such as casting, mold, plastic working, welding, heat treatment and surface treatment. It is regarded as an essential element for improving the competitiveness of the quality of final products. This study investigates the current status of smart factory implementation for Ppuri companies and analyzes the influencing relationships among various company factors. The factors affecting smart factory implementation for Ppuri companies are sales, exports, number of technical employees, and holding corporate research institutes. In addition, this research shows that even if smart factory implementation is pursued for data collection, data utilization is not implemented properly. Thus, it is suggested that the implementation of smart factories requires not only the availability of facilities and systems but also proper data utilization.

The construction of smart factories for government SMEs is not easy due to the lack of professional manpower. The use of retired professionals is a way to solve the problem to some extent and to solve the job problem of seniors by effectively utilizing social assets. This study examines the effectiveness of using Meister based on a survey of 195 companies participating in the Smart Meister Support Program. As a result, the better pre-participation readiness and the better management and coordination of change during the participation, the more significant influence was on Meister’s ability development and corporate performance. In particular, it was confirmed that Meister’s competence plays a role in both ‘pre-participation readiness and business performance’ and ‘between change management during participation and business performance’. In order to improve the performance of the smart meister business in the future, it is necessary to proactively promote the purpose and purpose of the business targeting companies that wish to participate in the business. In addition, it was found that it is necessary to support the development of change management in order to minimize the resistance to innovation during the project. It will be possible to enhance social competitiveness by resolving senior jobs and strengthening the competitiveness of SMEs by discovering and utilizing Meister, who is an expert among retirees.

Developed countries that have experienced decline in productivity due to the economic crisis in the past have come to recognize the smart factory as an important means to strengthen the competitiveness of the manufacturing industry due to the increase in labor costs, the avoidance of the manufacturing industry, and the resolution of the shortage of skilled manpower. The necessity of nurturing manpower for self-maintenance was felt through identifying factors for successful smart factory introduction by companies and providing smart factory education. Therefore, the effects of educational satisfaction and operational competency on self-efficacy as a parameter and self-efficacy as a parameter were analyzed using research models and hypotheses to determine whether there was an effect between job satisfaction as a dependent variable. As a result of the analysis, it was found that the mediating effect of self-efficacy and self-efficacy on job satisfaction was found to have significant effects on operational competency and self-efficacy as parameters, as well as educational satisfaction and operational competency. The implication of this study is that continuous education and innovation activities are important in order to increase the business performance of companies, and through this, the manufacturing competitiveness of SMEs can be improved.

Smart factories can be defined as intelligent factories that produce products through IoT-based data. In order to build and operate a smart factory, various new technologies such as CPS, IoT, Big Data, and AI are to be introduced and utilized, while the implementation of a MES system that accurately and quickly collects equipment data and production performance is as important as those new technologies. First of all, it is very essential to build a smart factory appropriate to the current status of the company. In this study, what are the essential prerequisite factors for successfully implementing a smart factory was investigated. A case study has been carried out to illustrate the effect of implementing ERP and MES, and to examine the extensibilities into a smart factory. ERP and MES as an integrated manufacturing information system do not imply a smart factory, however, it has been confirmed that ERP and MES are necessary conditions among many factors for developing into a smart factory. Therefore, the stepwise implementation of intelligent MES through the expansion of MES function was suggested. An intelligent MES that is capable of making various decisions has been investigated as a prototyping system by applying data mining techniques and big data analysis. In the end, in order for small and medium enterprises to implement a low-cost, high-efficiency smart factory, the level and goal of the smart factory must be clearly defined, and the transition to ERP and MES-based intelligent factories could be a potential alternative.

This study studied a system that can redesign the production site layout and respond with dynamic simulation through fabric production process innovation for smart factory promotion and digital-oriented decision making of the production process. We propose to reflect the required throughput and throughput per unit facility of fabric production process as probability distribution, and to construct data-driven metabolism such as data collection, data conversion processing, data rake generation, production site monitoring and simulation utilization. In this study, we demonstrate digital-centric field decision smartization through architectural design for the smartization of fabric production plants and dynamic simulations that reflect it.