Paradigm Shift in Industry 4.0: Trends from Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

The emergence of Industry 4.0 has heralded a transformative era across sectors, revolutionizing traditional models of production, governance, and human engagement. The compendium titled “Paradigm Shift in Industry 4.0: Trends from Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow (Volume I)” is a reflection of the interdisciplinary dialogue taking place across domains—from healthcare and finance to sustainability, wellness, education, and digital innovation.

As the world navigates an increasingly digital future shaped by Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and smart automation, this volume brings together an eclectic mix of research contributions that illuminate both the opportunities and challenges posed by the fourth industrial revolution. Each chapter explores sector-specific transformations while addressing broader implications for policy, ethics, and human well-being.

The book opens with thought-provoking insights into organizational energy in healthcare, a critical yet underexplored dimension in the age of digital disruption. Subsequent chapters delve into areas like Decentralized Finance, digital wellness, wearable technologies for the visually impaired, CRISPR-based genome editing, and AI-driven healthcare diagnostics, illustrating how technological paradigms are redefining everyday life. Topics such as social media marketing in FMCG, entrepreneurship education, rural women's economic empowerment, and religious-cultural phenomena like the Mahakumbh broaden the scope, situating Industry 4.0 within India's unique socio-cultural and developmental context.

This volume particularly stands out for its multidisciplinary approach, combining empirical studies, conceptual models, case studies, and technology reviews. Each contribution adds a layer to our understanding of how technological convergence is reshaping organizational, social, and individual behavior.

We, the editors, express our heartfelt gratitude to the esteemed contributors who brought diverse perspectives and academic rigor to this work. We also acknowledge the support of Kripa-Drishti Publications, the Centre for Capacity Building and Human Resource Development at ARKA JAIN University, and our peer reviewers, whose critical insights enhanced the quality and coherence of this volume.

We hope this book will serve as a valuable reference for academicians, scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and students, seeking to understand and navigate the dynamic landscape of Industry 4.0. As we stand at the crossroads of the past, present, and future; this book seeks not only to document transitions but also to inspire innovation and reflection in an increasingly complex world.