Successful factors for industry 4.0 circularity in agri-food companies

Despite the growing interest in Industry 4.0 technologies, the managerial perspective and its integration with circular economy principles remain underexplored, particularly within the agri-food sector. This study addresses this gap by employing a scoping review (PRISMA-ScR) combined with content analysis to examine how Industry 4.0 facilitates agri-food companies’ transition to the circular economy. Findings reveal that Industry 4.0 can transform product development, production, and sales by enhancing resource efficiency and supply chain resilience. Addressing social impacts - such as job displacement and workforce retraining – is essential. This research synthesizes critical success factors for Industry 4.0 implementation, including strong leadership, adaptive organizational culture, and robust cybersecurity infrastructure, proposing a comprehensive framework to guide agri-food firms in aligning digital transformation with the circular economy goals. The review contributes to the literature by elucidating the interplay between these factors and offers actionable insights for policymakers and managers striving to enhance sustainability and competitiveness within the agri-food sector.