The Role of Higher Education Institutions in Enabling the Fourth Industrial Revolution: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR or Industry 4.0), combines developments in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), Web3, blockchain, 3D printing, genetic engineering, quantum computing, and other technologies. It is the driving force for the delivery of variety of goods and services that are quickly turning into necessities for modern living. The 4IR represents a fundamental shift in the way we work and live. By serving as test beds for innovation and educating the next generation, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) highlight their role in influencing technology use. In order for HEI to provide future generations with the appropriate 4IR knowledge and skills, it is crucial to consider how these skills are delivered within these institutions, in terms of teaching and learning. This work evaluates the scientific output of 4IR delivery in HEI from 2020 to 2023 from the Web of Science (WoS) database using a bibliometric perspective. We retrieved 193 documents from the WoS database and analyze them. We also noted that Mexico emerges as the leader in 4IR skills development in HEIs.