Augmented product information: crafting physical-digital transparency strategies in the materials supply chain

Abstract

The adoption of digitally enabled manufacturing requires new strategies for managing information about the construction materials beyond the traditional project-driven perspective. This paper contributes an approach to improving transparency and traceability (T&T) of materials using industry 4.0 technologies. The results of an year-long action research in a glass manufacturing company include a guide to identifying requirements for T&T in the materials supply chain and an instantiation of T&T requirements for that sector. Our findings suggest identifying spheres of transparency shaped by enforced and voluntary regulations, and, afterward, creating transparency by design scenarios to complement the physical product with layers of digital information tailored for each stakeholder and product lifecycle phase. Additionally, this research extends the existing body of knowledge in T&T using a combination of technologies that support electronic product labeling. These outcomes are aligned with emerging regulations and calls for disclosure practices to achieve full product information. They are also relevant for materials manufacturers, who can seize the opportunity to boost their brands using technological enablers of industry 4.0, including augmented reality, cloud, and mobile systems.