IPSEN’s Shingo Prize journey: driving Industry 4.0 and 5.0 transformation

Purpose This study aims to examine how the French biopharmaceutical company IPSEN adapted the Shingo model to address the challenges of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and the rise of Industry 5.0 (I5.0), focusing on sustaining cultural principles such as respect for people, continuous improvement and sustainable value creation in the digital age. Design/methodology/approach The research is based on an in-depth qualitative case study, including semi-structured interviews and document analysis, conducted at IPSEN’s Signes facility in France. This approach allows for a detailed examination of how the organization has embedded Shingo principles into its transformation journey, while simultaneously deploying digital tools and developing a custom adaptation of the model known internally as “Shingo 2.0.” Findings IPSEN’s Shingo 4.0 and 5.0 Framework combines human-centric values with digital transformation, ensuring a balance between cultural and technological advancements. Key elements include cultural reinforcement first, data-driven thinking, ecosystem-based improvement, real-time feedback and digital leadership enablement. This framework integrates traditional Shingo principles with modern digital practices, fostering continuous improvement, emotional engagement and leadership evolution. It provides a flexible, holistic model for organizations to align human values with digital innovation, ensuring sustainable operational excellence. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this case study is among the first to document the real-world integration of the Shingo Model with digital transformation initiatives in a European manufacturing context. It offers both theoretical insight and practical guidance for organizations seeking to align excellence models with I4.0 and I5.0 principles. By proposing a human-centered, digitally enabled vision of Shingo, this research advances the debate on the future of operational excellence.