This research explores the reciprocal influences of Industry 4.0 technologies and sustainability based on a systematic literature review to gain knowledge on how to manage the transition towards a more sustainable industrial value creation efficiently and effectively. Quantitative and qualitative analyses based on 120 investigated papers were performed, showing increasing research activity within the field, with a slight tendency towards empirical research and manufacturing focus. Sustainability issues are main drivers for both scientific investigation and the increasing demand for industrial changes, while Industry 4.0 technologies are considered to be suitable solutions to tackle emerging sustainability challenges on each sustainability dimension.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Literature Review
2.1 Sustainability
2.2 Industry 4.0
2.3 Sustainable industrial value creation
2.4 Need for research
3 Methodology
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Data Collection
3.3 Data analysis
4 Results & discussion
4.1 Descriptive statistics
4.2 Quantitative analyses
4.3 Qualitative analyses
5 Limitations, Future Research and Conclusion
5.1 Limitations
5.2 Future Research
5.3 Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this research is to perform a systematic literature review to investigate the reciprocal influences between Industry 4.0 technologies and sustainability. The study aims to provide an integrated overview of the current research status to determine how corporations can manage the transition toward more sustainable industrial value creation.
- Analysis of the relationship between Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and Sustainability (SUS) in industrial contexts.
- Exploration of how various Industry 4.0 technologies (I4.0Ts) contribute to the three dimensions of sustainability: environmental, social, and economic.
- Identification of research gaps and ongoing directions regarding sustainable industrial value creation.
- Evaluation of Industry 4.0 as an enabler for the paradigm shift towards a Circular Economy.
- Examination of the role of human-centered implementation in sustainable industrial development.
Excerpt from the Book
1 Introduction
With 10 years to achieve the United Nation’s Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), pressure is rising for political, societal, and corporate actors to implement sustainability (SUS) strategies addressing pressing global environmental, social, and economic challenges. While non-binding, these goals have emerged as a roadmap for a more sustainable future, guiding individual and collective action. In recent years, corporations have been challenged by multinational institutions, regulators, customers, and future employees alike to take on responsibility and leverage their power to drive progress and positive change. They are solicited more than ever to incorporate SUS as a whole (People, Planet, and Profit) into their decision-making processes (Elkington 2002; Camilleri 2017). The negative environmental and social externalities of business activities, particularly industrial ones, need to be minimized or, best case, turned into attractive opportunities to create positive and shared value for all stakeholders (Elkington 2002). Indeed, with 27.81% of global value added and 22.0% contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions (World Bank 2018), the industrial sector represents a key lever in shaping a more sustainable and responsible future.
In parallel to this urgent need to reconsider business’ role as a societal actor, the industrial sector is currently undergoing a fourth industrial revolution, commonly known as Industry 4.0 (I4.0) (Lasi et al. 2014). Broadly speaking, I4.0 aims to fully integrate machinery and processes both horizontally and vertically across the whole value creation network, using advanced information and communication technologies (ICT) for enhanced real-time data collection, data exchange, and data analysis. Based on the increased granularity and availability of real-time data, smart algorithms can predict future behaviours and take optimal countermeasures with none or minor human intervention, enhancing operational performance and resource efficiency among others (Abubakr et al. 2020). Leveraging on both advanced ICT and top-edge manufacturing techniques, emerging technologies show promising potential to boost the transition to a more sustainable industrial value creation (Nara et al. 2021; de Sousa Jabbour et al. 2018), counteracting negative contributions and generating solutions.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Provides the motivation for the study by highlighting the pressure on industries to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and introduces the concept of Industry 4.0 as a potential enabler for sustainable operations.
2 Literature Review: Discusses the core domains of the study, defining sustainability, Industry 4.0, and the concept of sustainable industrial value creation, while identifying the need for further integrative research.
3 Methodology: Details the systematic literature review (SLR) research design, data collection processes, and the analytical framework used to synthesize 120 selected papers.
4 Results & discussion: Presents the findings of the systematic review through descriptive statistics, quantitative correlation analyses between technologies and sustainability dimensions, and qualitative insights.
5 Limitations, Future Research and Conclusion: Addresses the constraints of the study, proposes directions for future academic inquiry, and summarizes the core findings regarding the reciprocal relationship between I4.0 and sustainability.
Keywords
Industry 4.0, Sustainable Industrial Value Creation, Sustainability, Systematic Literature Review, Circular Economy, Smart Manufacturing, IoT, Big Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, Social Sustainability, Triple Bottom Line.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on understanding the reciprocal relationship between Industry 4.0 technologies and sustainability, investigating how these technologies can drive or support sustainable industrial value creation.
What are the central thematic fields?
The central themes include Industry 4.0 (I4.0), the three dimensions of sustainability (Economic, Environmental, and Social), and the transition toward a Circular Economy within industrial manufacturing.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to conduct a systematic literature review to provide a comprehensive overview of existing research and identify how I4.0 technologies can be effectively utilized to meet sustainability challenges.
Which scientific methodology does the author apply?
The author uses a systematic literature review (SLR) methodology, following PRISMA guidelines, to select and analyze 120 relevant academic papers quantitatively and qualitatively.
What does the main body cover?
The main body covers a literature review of fundamental concepts, a detailed methodology for bibliometric analysis, descriptive statistics regarding publications, and both quantitative and qualitative discussions on the interplay between I4.0 technologies and sustainability dimensions.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include Industry 4.0, Sustainable Industrial Value Creation, Circular Economy, IoT, and Triple Bottom Line, reflecting the intersection of digital transformation and sustainability goals.
How do Industry 4.0 technologies influence sustainability dimensions?
The research indicates that technologies like IoT, Big Data, and Cloud Computing serve as enablers that enhance data-gathering and real-time decision-making, which in turn facilitates improved process efficiency and resource management across environmental and economic dimensions.
What role does the 'social dimension' play in the study?
The social dimension is identified as crucial yet often under-researched. The study emphasizes that human-centered design and vocational training are essential to leverage I4.0 for social sustainability, ensuring that technology supports rather than replaces workers.
- Citation du texte
- Julien Wenglorz (Auteur), 2021, Exploring the reciprocal influences of Industry 4.0 technologies and Sustainability, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1040951
