Disruptions of the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Implication for Work-Life Balance Strategies

Disruptive Innovation In The Fourth Industrial Revolution

The concept of disruptive innovation was developed by Clayton Christensen to explain the development in technology, invention and ideas which defy conventional knowledge (Meyer, 2010). The concept of disruption is also used in the business arena to refer to a situation whereby the development or improvement in existing product satisfies the mainstream market (Christensen, Raynor & McDonald, 2015; Meyer, 2010). Taking a cue from Christensen et al. (2015) and Danneels (2004), disruption in the 4IR refers to a process of technological transformation, which operates through a specific mechanism and has a specific consequence. The 4IR is presumed to enhance global standard of living resulting in the improvement in the quality of life of people globally (Schwab, 2016). However, as the 4IR continues to birth various technological innovations which make life worth living, Daneels (2004) suggests that the revolution in technology could also widen inequality and disrupt global labour markets.

The disruptive technologies typically demonstrate a rapid change in capabilities in terms of performance relative to alternative approaches (Manyika, Chui, Bughin, Dobbs, Bisson & Marrs, 2013). Manyika et al. (2013) further argue that an economically viable disruptive technology must have a far-reaching impact on organisations, products, services and consumers’ shopping experiences. The disruption of the 4IR is a technological innovation that brings about changes in the way businesses are conducted (Smith, 2019). Various businesses, in the bid to not be left out of the 4IR buzz, are incorporating new technological innovations to stay competitive and enhance profitability. Therefore, the disruptions brought about by the 4IR involve innovations such as e-commerce, autonomous vehicles, 3D printing, quantum computing, augmented reality, nanotechnology, blockchain and many others.