Global Advanced Automation Solutions: Technology, Innovation, Commercial Strategies, and Sustainability Best Practices

This thesis explores the strategic role of advanced automation in driving innovation, efficiency, and sustainability within the Personal Care industry. Relying on the General Theory of Innovation (GTI) and the Coefficient of Freedom framework, it examines how automation technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence and industrial IoT, are transforming manufacturing processes by improving productivity, reducing costs, and enhancing quality and safety. A global manufacturing perspective is adopted, highlighting how standardized processes, centralized knowledge management, and coordinated roll-outs enable scalable technology transfer across multiple production sites. The case study of baby wipes production demonstrates how GTI principles can guide process reengineering, yielding measurable improvements in efficiency, sustainability, and plastic reduction. Furthermore, the thesis evaluates sustainability as a core design principle, with attention to lifecycle thinking and circular economy practices. Finally, it investigates innovative capital expenditure models and B2B marketing strategies that support the adoption and commercialization of highly automated solutions. Taken together these findings suggest that integrating technology, innovation management, sustainability, and global process strategies can help organizations to maintain competitiveness and resilience in rapidly evolving markets.