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The purpose of this viewpoint is to present some reflections about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic impacts on the transition to Industry 4.0 in the Brazilian manufacturing sector context.

Initially, a bibliographic research study was carried out to establish a theoretical background and contextualization. After analysing different kinds of documents, the authors of this viewpoint discussed potential COVID-19 impacts on the transition to Industry 4.0 in the Brazilian manufacturing sector. A multidisciplinary discursive approach was used in the debates.

The COVID-19 pandemic will negatively influence the transition of Brazilian manufacturing sector to Industry 4.0. Despite the fact that some “World Class Companies” based in Brazil still continue the transition process towards the “Digital Revolution”, most of Brazilian manufacturing companies are postponing important initiatives related to Industry 4.0 due to uncertainties. In addition, policies promoting innovation are increasingly necessary.

This viewpoint presents interesting implications for researchers and society. Researchers can use these reflections to structure surveys or case studies to better understand the aforementioned impacts on companies due to the pandemic. These reflections can also be used by society for public policy debates. For companies, the information presented highlights the relevance of Industry 4.0 as an important phenomenon to manufacturing sector and companies' competitiveness.

This viewpoint presents reflections which may be used to encourage debates about how to manage digital transformation in the manufacturing sector during an unstable environment.

The present study aimed to evaluate how Brazilian companies from different sectors are developing human resources practices in the context of Industry 4.0 and which of these practices allows better differentiate of companies.

After a systematic literature review to identify the most important human resources practices in the context of Industry 4.0, a survey with professionals from human resources area of companies operating in Brazil was carried out. Data analysis was performed through frequency evaluation and CRITIC method (Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation). CRITIC method was used to identify the practices that best differentiate the studied companies.

The analysed companies are in different evolutionary stages regarding how human resources management practices are adapting to the Industry 4.0 context. Few companies have presented reliable results to better support the transition process. Practices related to evaluating employee performance in this context, estimating the needs of financial resources and time for the training required by Industry 4.0 and establishing systems to recognise talents among employees who already work for the company are the practices that best differentiate companies.

There are few studies on this topic for Brazilian context. The information presented in this article can be useful for professionals and researchers.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the maturity level of strategic communication management implemented by Brazilian startups.

This study employed the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), survey and Grey Fixed Weight Clustering modeling techniques. Three experts with extensive academic and practical experience in the subject participated in the AHP process, providing their opinions on the relative importance of eight variables associated with the topic under investigation, thus enabling their prioritization. Concurrently, data were collected through a survey from 23 respondents who have extensive knowledge about the realities of Brazilian startups. The weights derived from the AHP and the survey data were utilized in the Grey Fixed Weight Clustering modeling.

Based on the opinions of the 23 respondents, the level of implementation of practices related to strategic management, brand management, external image management and internal communication management is superficial. In addition, according to the majority of experts, Brazilian startups exhibited a medium level of maturity to address the key challenges related to communication management. Furthermore, this study reveals that the variables “financial resources allocation,” “stakeholder relationship” and “brand management” were deemed the most significant for the model.

The contributions presented herein can be beneficial for both researchers and startup managers seeking to enhance communication strategies in their organizations. This research also contributes by highlighting how grey systems theory can be extremely useful for conducting decision-making analyses in the context of startups, which is characterized by uncertainty and imprecise information.

The objectives of this study are twofold: identify the main challenges in performing training on Industry 4.0 concepts to managers operating in the manufacturing sector who are not familiar with them but aspire for an Industry 4.0 broad view and validate training practices that can be adopted to reduce managerial knowledge differences.

A Delphi method was carried out in two rounds to identify the Industry 4.0 training challenges and a Fuzzy Delphi method was applied in one round to validate the training practices. Both methods used the same set of participants composed of experts in training for Industry 4.0. Results were discussed considering literature statements.

In total, 11 challenges in Industry 4.0 training were identified and grouped into: challenges associated with the necessary knowledge, challenges of breaking paradigm, challenges associated with training characteristics and challenges associated with expected results. In total, 11 training practices were directly validated, including actions to be adopted before, during, and after the training process.

The findings are relevant for professionals, academics, or consultants as the findings enable better training planning and execution. No similar papers were found in scientific databases, reinforcing this present study's originality and contribution.

This viewpoint aims to present reflections on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic scenario and the entrepreneurial potential of Brazilian students. Guidelines are proposed to support debates in the academic environment and better prepare future entrepreneurs to the labour market.

Since this is a viewpoint article, some statements presented here are characterised by the authors' opinions. However, for a better foundation, bibliographic research related to the theme was carried out.

In the authors' point of view, the COVID-19 pandemic scenario may negatively influence the decisions of Brazilian students that are characterised as potential future entrepreneurs. Educators can use the guidelines presented here to conduct debates with students in order to clarify aspects related to profile, behaviour and other issues.

By understanding better entrepreneurial aspects in the COVID-19 pandemic scenario, Brazilian students can make better decisions. This initiative will contribute to future success in the Brazilian entrepreneurial activity and national economy.

This study aims to provide an analysis of teaching the “10 Rs” – Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Remodel, Remanufacture, Reuse, Recycle and Recover energy, in technological-level undergraduate courses offered in Brazil. Technological undergraduate courses are more dynamic and pragmatic than bachelor’s degrees and aim to meet market demand.

The study collected data from 39 educators who know the reality of technological-level undergraduate courses in Brazil. The data were analyzed using the fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution class technique.

The main findings of the research show potential for improvement in teaching all the “Rs” analyzed when considering technological-level undergraduate courses. Refuse, Restore and Recover energy are the most critical when considering how they should be taught in undergraduate technology courses in Brazil.

The paper’s originality lies in a unique empirical analysis of the circular economy – which is increasingly emerging as an intriguing approach to seeking sustainability in production chains – and the new generation of professionals in technological undergraduate courses who need to be educated and aligned with these concepts. The results can improve the curriculum, syllabus, course objectives and learning outcomes, upgrading the courses’ pedagogical projects.