Assessing the impact of multi-agent technology in Industry 4.0: comparative insights across manufacturing sectors

Purpose In Industry 4.0, industrial operations are driven by advanced automation and digital technologies. However, the continuous strengthening and effective integration of these technologies remain challenging across industrial sectors. For this, the purpose of this study is to investigate the role of Multi-Agent Technology (MAT) in enhancing Industry 4.0 technologies within the automobile, electronics, pharmaceutical and software industries. Design/methodology/approach A systematic review identified ten Industry 4.0 technologies and 57 MAT variables and used to construct the theoretical framework. To analyze the framework, a Fuzzy Multiple Criteria Decision-Making (FMCDM) approach was used. It helps to measure the ranking and interrelationships and determine the influence of MAT variables on technologies of Industry 4.0 across four sectors. Findings Cyber Security and Big Data and Analytics emerged as the most critical technologies enhanced by MAT. MAT integration improves efficiency, quality, cost reduction and overall productivity. While IoT and Cloud Computing show sector-specific relevance, Cyber Security and data analytics act as universal enablers. Research limitations/implications This study covers four sectors and ten technologies; literature-based variables and expert judgment introduce subjectivity. Broader studies, real-time data and sustainability-oriented frameworks could extend this work toward Industry 5.0. Practical implications The findings of this study guide manufacturers, technology providers and policymakers by offering a prioritized, evidence-based roadmap for MAT-enabled Industry 4.0 implementation, thereby reducing investment uncertainty, improving operational efficiency and enhancing economic and commercial impact. Social implications MAT adoption enhances productivity, supports sustainability, reduces waste and builds cyber trust, contributing to inclusive and resilient growth. Originality/value This study presents a novel and systematic integration framework that explicitly links MAT with the fundamental technologies of Industry 4.0. This study uniquely links 57 MAT variables with ten Industry 4.0 technologies using FMCDM, bridging theory and practice through sector-specific insights across automobile, electronics, pharmaceutical and software industries, thereby bridging the gap between theoretical MAT constructs and practical Industry 4.0 implementation.