Mapping the links between Industry 4.0, circular economy and sustainability: a systematic literature review

Abstract

PurposeThe study aims to map the links between Industry 4.0 (I-4.0) technologies and circular economy (CE) for sustainable operations and their role to achieving the selected number of sustainable development goals (SDGs).Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts a systematic literature review method to identify 76 primary studies that were published between January 2010 and December 2020. The authors synthesized the existing literature using Scopus database to investigate I-4.0 technologies and CE to select SDGs.FindingsThe findings of the study bridge the gap in the literature at the intersection between I-4.0 and sustainable operations in line with the regenerate, share, optimize, loop, virtualize and exchange (ReSOLVE) framework leading to CE practices. Further, the study also depicts the CE practices leading to the select SDGs (“SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation,” “SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy,” “SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure,” “SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production” and “SDG 13: Climate Action”). The study proposes a conceptual framework based on the linkages above, which can help organizations to realign their management practices, thereby achieving specific SDGs.Originality/valueThe originality of the study is substantiated by a unique I-4.0-sustainable operations-CE-SDGs (ISOCES) framework that integrates I-4.0 and CE for sustainable development. The framework is unique, as it is based on an in-depth and systematic review of the literature that maps the links between I-4.0, CE and sustainability.

Assessment of Sustainable Development Goals through Industry 4.0 and reconfigurable manufacturing system practices

“…The categorization of SDGs, on the other hand, will help researchers to identify the relevance of SDGs and the issues that they are addressing (Dantas et al. , 2021; Patyal et al. , 2022).…”

“…This has assisted in the revision of the SDGs and their targets. The categorization of SDGs, on the other hand, will help researchers to identify the relevance of SDGs and the issues that they are addressing (Dantas et al, 2021;Patyal et al, 2022). The identified performance metrics and developed framework demonstrate a novel methodology for measuring the contribution of RMS-Industry 4.0 practices to SDG achievement.…”

Understanding and approaches towards circular bio‐economy of wastewater reuse in fisheries and aquaculture in India: An overview

“…These innovative and advanced technologies have given a boost to the concept of circular economy (CE) and the same has been implemented across countries and in a variety of sectors including food grain production, livestock, aquaculture yielding positive output both in terms of environment and economy 27 . 4IR and CE have reportedly shown fast growth and have been instrumental in achieving sustainability in production process 28 . Integration of 4IR technologies and CE has helped in transforming our economy from a linear one to circular based 29,30 and contribute towards sustainable production.…”

“…27 4IR and CE have reportedly shown fast growth and have been instrumental in achieving sustainability in production process. 28 Integration of 4IR technologies and CE has helped in transforming our economy from a linear one to circular based 29,30 and contribute towards sustainable production. At a time, when the world is facing a series of challenges in ecological, economic and societal front coupled with climate change, depleting water reserves, food security, biodiversity loss, circular bio-economy aided by innovative technologies of the 4IR is a potential mechanism to meet everincreasing production and consumption demand in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).…”

Possible Applications of Edge Computing in the Manufacturing Industry—Systematic Literature Review

“…Some researchers studied business use cases or consulted company reports and white papers [ 12 ]. In [ 13 ], the authors, through a systematic literature review, looked for the links between Industry 4.0 and sustainability, while in [ 14 ] the authors studied challenges and risks related to Industry 4.0. Additionally, trends and directions for artificial intelligence application in industry [ 15 ] and the Industrial Internet of Things [ 16 ] have been studied through systematic literature reviews.…”