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Industry 4.0 technologies in the manufacturing sector: Are we sure they are all relevant for environmental performance?

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  • Andrea Chiarini

Abstract

This research contributes to the debate about the relevance of Industry 4.0 technologies in improving environmental performance in the manufacturing industry. We employed a qualitative–quantitative approach in which 19 Italian operations managers were interviewed and 260 managers responded to an online questionnaire. The effects of various technologies were ranked using ordinal regression. Comments and suggestions gave context to the quantitative results. Sensors, radio‐frequency identification, artificial intelligence and analytics were found to be most relevant in improving environmental performance, whereas simulation software contributed moderately. Additive manufacturing, cobots, robots, automated mobile robots and automated guided vehicles had a negative effect, augmented reality had no effect and other technologies indirectly affected environmental performance. We also found a lack of knowledge and application as well as scepticism about technologies such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality. Finally, there was concern about the disposal of electrical and electronic waste produced by these technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Chiarini, 2021. "Industry 4.0 technologies in the manufacturing sector: Are we sure they are all relevant for environmental performance?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(7), pages 3194-3207, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:30:y:2021:i:7:p:3194-3207
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.2797
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    2. Ahmadova, Gozal & Delgado-Márquez, Blanca L. & Pedauga, Luis E. & Leyva-de la Hiz, Dante I., 2022. "Too good to be true: The inverted U-shaped relationship between home-country digitalization and environmental performance," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    3. Sumona Mukhuty & Arvind Upadhyay & Holly Rothwell, 2022. "Strategic sustainable development of Industry 4.0 through the lens of social responsibility: The role of human resource practices," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(5), pages 2068-2081, July.
    4. Piccarozzi, Michela & Silvestri, Cecilia & Aquilani, Barbara & Silvestri, Luca, 2022. "Is this a new story of the ‘Two Giants’? A systematic literature review of the relationship between industry 4.0, sustainability and its pillars," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    5. Silke Niehoff, 2022. "Aligning digitalisation and sustainable development? Evidence from the analysis of worldviews in sustainability reports," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(5), pages 2546-2567, July.
    6. Morteza Ghobakhloo & Mohammad Iranmanesh & Andrius Grybauskas & Mantas Vilkas & Monika Petraitė, 2021. "Industry 4.0, innovation, and sustainable development: A systematic review and a roadmap to sustainable innovation," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(8), pages 4237-4257, December.
    7. Rohit Agrawal & Vishal A. Wankhede & Anil Kumar & Sunil Luthra & Donald Huisingh, 2022. "Progress and trends in integrating Industry 4.0 within Circular Economy: A comprehensive literature review and future research propositions," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(1), pages 559-579, January.

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