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The Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Sustainability Practices: A Comparative Automated Content Analysis Approach of Theory and Practice

Author

Listed:
  • Vasja Roblek

    (Faculty of Organisation Studies in Novo Mesto, 8000 Novo Mesto, Slovenia)

  • Oshane Thorpe

    (College of Media and Mass Communication, American University in the Emirates, Dubai 503000, UAE)

  • Mirjana Pejic Bach

    (Faculty of Economics, University of Zagreb, 100000 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Andrej Jerman

    (LPP, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Maja Meško

    (Faculty of Management, University of Primorska, 6000 Koper, Slovenia
    Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Maribor, 4000 Kranj, Slovenia)

Abstract

(1) Background: The article provides a methodologically coherent analysis of technological development in the context of the fourth industrial revolution or Industry 4.0 and its impact on changes in sustainable development policy. (2) Methods: Using a Comparative Automated Content Analysis (ACA) approach, the article compares recent scientific work on sustainable development and the fourth industrial revolution with the discourse in the news media on sustainable development and industry 4.0. (3) Results: The scientific literature focuses more on changes in business models, production processes, and technologies that enable sustainable development. Newspaper and magazine articles write more about sustainable or green investments, sustainable standards, and sustainable reporting. The focus is on topics that are directly relevant to current sustainable business development and the promotion of research and development of clean and smart technologies and processes. (4) Conclusions: The ACA allows a more systematic comparison of different data sources. The article provides a starting point for sustainable development professionals to gain useful insights into a specific context with the help of the ACA.

Suggested Citation

  • Vasja Roblek & Oshane Thorpe & Mirjana Pejic Bach & Andrej Jerman & Maja Meško, 2020. "The Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Sustainability Practices: A Comparative Automated Content Analysis Approach of Theory and Practice," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-27, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:20:p:8497-:d:428268
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    2. Paweł Poszytek, 2021. "The Landscape of Scientific Discussions on the Competencies 4.0 Concept in the Context of the 4th Industrial Revolution—A Bibliometric Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-13, June.
    3. Rafał Trzaska & Adam Sulich & Michał Organa & Jerzy Niemczyk & Bartosz Jasiński, 2021. "Digitalization Business Strategies in Energy Sector: Solving Problems with Uncertainty under Industry 4.0 Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-21, November.
    4. Satish Kumar & Dipasha Sharma & Sandeep Rao & Weng Marc Lim & Sachin Kumar Mangla, 2025. "Past, present, and future of sustainable finance: insights from big data analytics through machine learning of scholarly research," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 345(2), pages 1061-1104, February.
    5. Inese Mavlutova & Aivars Spilbergs & Atis Verdenhofs & Andris Natrins & Ilja Arefjevs & Tatjana Volkova, 2022. "Digital Transformation as a Driver of the Financial Sector Sustainable Development: An Impact on Financial Inclusion and Operational Efficiency," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-24, December.
    6. Sooksan Kantabutra, 2022. "Toward a System Theory of Corporate Sustainability: An Interim Struggle," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-27, November.
    7. Galina Panaedova & Alex Borodin & Cemal Zehir & Sergey Laptev & Andrey Kulikov, 2023. "Overview of the Russian Coal Market in the Context of Geopolitical and Economic Turbulence: The European Embargo and New Markets," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-29, September.
    8. Malgorzata Rutkowska & Adam Sulich, 2021. "The Green Management Towards a Green Industrial Revolution," Papers 2106.00464, arXiv.org.
    9. Emmanuel Ayo Orisadare & Okechukwu Emmanuel Achukwu & Abiodun Afolayan Ogunyemi & Deborah Oluwayemisi Adedeji & Idowu Jamiu Diyaolu & Eunice Ifenyinwa Ugwu & Ayodeji Oludola Oluwatope & Kudirat Oyebis, 2025. "Digitalisation and Green Strategies: A Systematic Review of the Textile, Apparel and Fashion Industries," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 5(4), pages 2775-2827, August.
    10. Walter Cardoso Satyro & Jose Celso Contador & Sonia Francisca de Paula Monken & Anderson Ferreira de Lima & Gilberto Gomes Soares Junior & Jansen Anderson Gomes & João Victor Silva Neves & José Robert, 2023. "Industry 4.0 Implementation Projects: The Cleaner Production Strategy—A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-18, January.
    11. Vasja Roblek & Maja Meško & Iztok Podbregar, 2021. "Impact of Car Sharing on Urban Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-19, January.

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