Current status and perspectives regarding the skills and meta-competencies needed by employees in the era 4.0

Purpose This study investigates the perspective of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the North-East Region of Romania regarding the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. The research aims to examine the competencies required for employees from the perspective of both the business environment and the educational sector, focusing on aligning educational programmes with the needs of Industry 4.0. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research method was employed, using data obtained from interviews conducted with managers from SMEs (160 interviews) and teaching staff (85 interviews) in the North-East Region of Romania. The interviews were processed using NVivo software. The study evaluates both the business environment’s perception of necessary employee skills and the educational environment’s perspective on developing relevant competencies for the workforce. Findings The results indicate a growing demand for meta-competencies related to AI usage among employees. Additionally, there is a recognized need for coordinated efforts between the educational sector and industry to better align educational programmes with the competency requirements of Industry 4.0. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to the North-East Region of Romania, focusing specifically on SMEs and educational institutions in that area. Originality/value This study fills a gap in the existing literature by providing a focused analysis of AI adoption at the SME level. By examining the intersection of AI technology, workforce competencies and educational preparation in the context of Industry 4.0, this research contributes to understanding the evolving role of AI in shaping both employee profiles and organizational needs.