Cyber-physische Systeme als Treiber ökonomisch nachhaltiger Wertschöpfung

Abstract

Cyber-physical systems are an important technological basis for the digital transformation of industrial processes in the context of Industry 4.0. They connect machines, sensors, software and people to form an integrated system that collects and evaluates data in real time and uses it to make automated decisions. This paper analyzes the potential of CPS in terms of economic sustainability and evaluates the concrete economic benefits they can offer manufacturing companies - and also addresses the challenges associated with their implementation. The focus is on the question of how CPS can improve effectiveness, flexibility and long-term competitiveness. The study also examines the extent to which CPS enable new business models, such as data-driven services or platformbased value creation. A theoretical-empirical approach was chosen: After an extensive literature review, five practice-oriented research questions were examined and supported by industrial case studies. The results show that CPS can achieve economically viable and sustainable effects - for example by reducing downtimes, optimizing maintenance cycles and improving resource efficiency. Production processes not only become more reliable and cost-effective, but also more adaptable to changing market requirements. CPS also opens up new digital business opportunities, such as usage-based pricing models, remote maintenance and data-driven services. This marks a structural shift in business logic from purely product-based offerings to hybrid service models. At the same time, it is clear that the economic success of such systems depends heavily on the framework conditions. Technical challenges such as a lack of interface standards, organizational barriers such as insufficient qualifications or resistance to change as well as high initial investments represent significant hurdles, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. This paper therefore emphasizes how important it is to understand CPS not as isolated technical solutions, but as integral components of a holistic transformation process.

Date of Award	2025
Original language	German (Austria)
Supervisor	Josef Wolfartsberger (Supervisor)