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Industry 4.0 and circular economy: An exploratory analysis of academic and practitioners' perspectives

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  • Maurizio Massaro
  • Silvana Secinaro
  • Francesca Dal Mas
  • Valerio Brescia
  • Davide Calandra

Abstract

The union between Industry 4.0 and the circular economy (CE) appears relatively recent. In this sense, new trading zones for sharing a common scenario among academics and practitioners are needed. The paper aims to investigate the link between Industry 4.0 and the CE by understanding how Industry 4.0 can foster the impact of the CE on companies. The study proposes a broader perspective that includes thematic and content analysis gathering data on professional documents based on business cases, newspaper articles, press releases and specialised blogs, as well as scientific papers. The joint academic‐practitioners view highlights how Industry 4.0 has the potential to impact on the CE through countless actions: increasing waste disposal; promoting remanufacturing; enhancing the efficiency of critical resources such as water, energy, gas and CO2; and improving business models and the mission of companies. However, barriers still exist in its adoption, stressing the need for holistic and integrated design and a proactive environment of collaboration among stakeholders. Results lead to practical as well as research implications.

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  • Maurizio Massaro & Silvana Secinaro & Francesca Dal Mas & Valerio Brescia & Davide Calandra, 2021. "Industry 4.0 and circular economy: An exploratory analysis of academic and practitioners' perspectives," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(2), pages 1213-1231, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:30:y:2021:i:2:p:1213-1231
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.2680
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    2. Govindan, Kannan, 2023. "How digitalization transforms the traditional circular economy to a smart circular economy for achieving SDGs and net zero," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    3. Secinaro, Silvana & Calandra, Davide & Lanzalonga, Federico & Ferraris, Alberto, 2022. "Electric vehicles’ consumer behaviours: Mapping the field and providing a research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 399-416.
    4. Dal Mas, F. & Massaro, M. & Ndou, V. & Raguseo, E., 2023. "Blockchain technologies for sustainability in the agrifood sector: A literature review of academic research and business perspectives," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    5. Virmani, Naveen & Sharma, Shikha & Kumar, Anil & Luthra, Sunil, 2023. "Adoption of industry 4.0 evidence in emerging economy: Behavioral reasoning theory perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).

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