IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/sustdv/v33y2025i2p2189-2202.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Leveraging Industry 4.0 technologies for sustainable value chains: Raising awareness on digital transformation and responsible operations management

Author

Listed:
  • Serena Strazzullo
  • Livio Cricelli
  • Ciro Troise
  • Mark Anthony Camilleri

Abstract

Practitioners, policy makers as well as scholars are increasingly focusing their attention on the promotion of sustainable practices that reduce the businesses' impacts on the environment. In many cases, they are well aware that manufacturers and their suppliers are resorting to lean management processes and Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies such as big data, internet of things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI), among others, to implement sustainable production models in their operational processes. This research utilizes an inductive approach to better understand how I4.0 technologies could result in increased organizational performance in terms of resource efficiencies, quality assurance as well as in environmentally sustainable outcomes, in the context of the automotive industry. The findings shed light on the relationship between I4.0 technologies, sustainable and lean practices of automakers of combustion engines, hybrid models and/or electric vehicles (EVs). In conclusion, this contribution puts forward an original conceptual framework that clearly explains how practitioners can avail themselves of disruptive technologies to foster continuous improvements in their value chain.

Suggested Citation

  • Serena Strazzullo & Livio Cricelli & Ciro Troise & Mark Anthony Camilleri, 2025. "Leveraging Industry 4.0 technologies for sustainable value chains: Raising awareness on digital transformation and responsible operations management," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(2), pages 2189-2202, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:33:y:2025:i:2:p:2189-2202
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.3211
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.3211
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/sd.3211?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chen Liu & Dongmin Kong, 2021. "Business strategy and sustainable development: Evidence from China," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(1), pages 657-670, January.
    2. Chaomei Chen, 2006. "CiteSpace II: Detecting and visualizing emerging trends and transient patterns in scientific literature," Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 57(3), pages 359-377, February.
    3. Harwinder Singh & Amandeep Singh, 2013. "Application of lean manufacturing using value stream mapping in an auto‐parts manufacturing unit," Journal of Advances in Management Research, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 10(1), pages 72-84, May.
    4. Matthew C. Davis & Kerrie L. Unsworth & Sally V. Russell & Jennifer J. Galvan, 2020. "Can green behaviors really be increased for all employees? Trade‐offs for “deep greens” in a goal‐oriented green human resource management intervention," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(2), pages 335-346, February.
    5. Culot, Giovanna & Nassimbeni, Guido & Orzes, Guido & Sartor, Marco, 2020. "Behind the definition of Industry 4.0: Analysis and open questions," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
    6. Mark Anthony Camilleri & Livio Cricelli & Roberto Mauriello & Serena Strazzullo, 2023. "Consumer Perceptions of Sustainable Products: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-18, June.
    7. Harwinder Singh & Amandeep Singh, 2013. "Application of lean manufacturing using value stream mapping in an auto‐parts manufacturing unit," Journal of Advances in Management Research, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 10(1), pages 72-84, May.
    8. Gabriella M. Hastig & ManMohan S. Sodhi, 2020. "Blockchain for Supply Chain Traceability: Business Requirements and Critical Success Factors," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 29(4), pages 935-954, April.
    9. Jayashankar M. Swaminathan, 2018. "Big Data Analytics for Rapid, Impactful, Sustained, and Efficient (RISE) Humanitarian Operations," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 27(9), pages 1696-1700, September.
    10. Mark Anthony Camilleri & Ciro Troise & Serena Strazzullo & Stefano Bresciani, 2023. "Creating shared value through open innovation approaches: Opportunities and challenges for corporate sustainability," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(7), pages 4485-4502, November.
    11. Sven-Vegard Buer & Jan Ola Strandhagen & Felix T. S. Chan, 2018. "The link between Industry 4.0 and lean manufacturing: mapping current research and establishing a research agenda," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(8), pages 2924-2940, April.
    12. Harwinder Singh & Amandeep Singh, 2013. "Application of lean manufacturing using value stream mapping in an auto‐parts manufacturing unit," Journal of Advances in Management Research, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 10(1), pages 72-84, May.
    13. Mark Anthony Camilleri, 2022. "The rationale for ISO 14001 certification: A systematic review and a cost–benefit analysis," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(4), pages 1067-1083, July.
    14. ManMohan S. Sodhi & Christopher S. Tang, 2021. "Extending AAA Capabilities to Meet PPP Goals in Supply Chains," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 30(3), pages 625-632, March.
    15. Dalenogare, Lucas Santos & Benitez, Guilherme Brittes & Ayala, Néstor Fabián & Frank, Alejandro Germán, 2018. "The expected contribution of Industry 4.0 technologies for industrial performance," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 383-394.
    16. Kainuma, Yasutaka & Tawara, Nobuhiko, 2006. "A multiple attribute utility theory approach to lean and green supply chain management," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 101(1), pages 99-108, May.
    17. Shivam Gupta & Sachin Modgil & Angappa Gunasekaran, 2020. "Big data in lean six sigma: a review and further research directions," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(3), pages 947-969, February.
    18. Hubert Pun & Jayashankar M. Swaminathan & Pengwen Hou, 2021. "Blockchain Adoption for Combating Deceptive Counterfeits," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 30(4), pages 864-882, April.
    19. Ganesh Narkhede & Vishwas Dohale & Yash Mahajan, 2024. "Darker side of industry 4.0 and its impact on triple‐bottom‐line sustainability," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(6), pages 5999-6016, December.
    20. Jayaram, Jayanth & Dixit, Mita & Motwani, Jaideep, 2014. "Supply chain management capability of small and medium sized family businesses in India: A multiple case study approach," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 147(PB), pages 472-485.
    21. Thun, Jörn-Henrik & Hoenig, Daniel, 2011. "An empirical analysis of supply chain risk management in the German automotive industry," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 131(1), pages 242-249, May.
    22. Samuel Adomako & Mai Dong Tran, 2022. "Environmental collaboration, responsible innovation, and firm performance: The moderating role of stakeholder pressure," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(4), pages 1695-1704, May.
    23. Nur Sunar & Jayashankar M. Swaminathan, 2022. "Socially relevant and inclusive operations management," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(12), pages 4379-4392, December.
    24. Vasja Roblek & Maja Meško & Alojz Krapež, 2016. "A Complex View of Industry 4.0," SAGE Open, , vol. 6(2), pages 21582440166, June.
    25. Eltayeb, Tarig K. & Zailani, Suhaiza & Ramayah, T., 2011. "Green supply chain initiatives among certified companies in Malaysia and environmental sustainability: Investigating the outcomes," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 55(5), pages 495-506.
    26. Mark Anthony Camilleri, 2019. "The circular economy's closed loop and product service systems for sustainable development: A review and appraisal," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 27(3), pages 530-536, May.
    27. Gillani, Fatima & Chatha, Kamran Ali & Sadiq Jajja, Muhammad Shakeel & Farooq, Sami, 2020. "Implementation of digital manufacturing technologies: Antecedents and consequences," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    28. Harshad Sonar & Ayon Mukherjee & Angappa Gunasekaran & Rajesh Kr Singh, 2022. "Sustainable supply chain management of automotive sector in context to the circular economy: A strategic framework," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(7), pages 3635-3648, November.
    29. Xiaoli Guo & Weili Xia & Taiwen Feng & Hongyan Sheng, 2022. "Sustainable supply chain finance adoption and firm performance: Is green supply chain integration a missing link?," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(5), pages 1135-1154, October.
    30. Wanja Wellbrock & Daniela Ludin & Linda Röhrle & Wolfgang Gerstlberger, 2020. "Sustainability in the automotive industry, importance of and impact on automobile interior – insights from an empirical survey," International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility, Springer, vol. 5(1), pages 1-11, December.
    31. Juan A. Marin-Garcia & Tomas Bonavia, 2015. "Relationship between employee involvement and lean manufacturing and its effect on performance in a rigid continuous process industry," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 53(11), pages 3260-3275, June.
    32. Matthew Potoski & Aseem Prakash, 2005. "Green Clubs and Voluntary Governance: ISO 14001 and Firms' Regulatory Compliance," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 49(2), pages 235-248, April.
    33. Vinayak Deshpande & Jayashankar M. Swaminathan, 2020. "Introduction to the Special Issue on Responsible Operations and Supply Chain Management," Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, INFORMS, vol. 22(6), pages 1107-1111, November.
    34. Huan Dou & Antai Li & Yonggen Luo, 2021. "Innovation in Business Groups: Evidence from China," Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(9), pages 2503-2513, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Yang Lu, 2025. "The Current Status and Developing Trends of Industry 4.0: a Review," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 27(1), pages 215-234, February.
    2. Ricci, Riccardo & Battaglia, Daniele & Neirotti, Paolo, 2021. "External knowledge search, opportunity recognition and industry 4.0 adoption in SMEs," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    3. Cifone, Fabiana Dafne & Hoberg, Kai & Holweg, Matthias & Staudacher, Alberto Portioli, 2021. "‘Lean 4.0’: How can digital technologies support lean practices?," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    4. Suyuan Luo & Tsan‐Ming Choi, 2022. "E‐commerce supply chains with considerations of cyber‐security: Should governments play a role?," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(5), pages 2107-2126, May.
    5. Gupta, Shivam & Modgil, Sachin & Choi, Tsan-Ming & Kumar, Ajay & Antony, Jiju, 2023. "Influences of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology on financial resilience of supply chains," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 261(C).
    6. Mark Anthony Camilleri, 2022. "The rationale for ISO 14001 certification: A systematic review and a cost–benefit analysis," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(4), pages 1067-1083, July.
    7. Christian Hoyer & Indra Gunawan & Carmen Haule Reaiche, 2023. "Exploring the relationships between Industry 4.0 implementation factors through systems thinking and network analysis," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(4), pages 723-739, July.
    8. Alok Raj & Anand Jeyaraj, 2023. "Antecedents and consequents of industry 4.0 adoption using technology, organization and environment (TOE) framework: A meta-analysis," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 322(1), pages 101-124, March.
    9. Christian Hoyer & Indra Gunawan & Carmen Haule Reaiche, 2020. "The Implementation of Industry 4.0 – A Systematic Literature Review of the Key Factors," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(4), pages 557-578, July.
    10. ManMohan S. Sodhi & Zahra Seyedghorban & Hossein Tahernejad & Danny Samson, 2022. "Why emerging supply chain technologies initially disappoint: Blockchain, IoT, and AI," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(6), pages 2517-2537, June.
    11. Culot, Giovanna & Nassimbeni, Guido & Orzes, Guido & Sartor, Marco, 2020. "Behind the definition of Industry 4.0: Analysis and open questions," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
    12. Sunil Mithas & Zhi‐Long Chen & Terence J.V. Saldanha & Alysson De Oliveira Silveira, 2022. "How will artificial intelligence and Industry 4.0 emerging technologies transform operations management?," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(12), pages 4475-4487, December.
    13. Battistoni, Elisa & Gitto, Simone & Murgia, Gianluca & Campisi, Domenico, 2023. "Adoption paths of digital transformation in manufacturing SME," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    14. Nur Sunar & Jayashankar M. Swaminathan, 2022. "Socially relevant and inclusive operations management," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(12), pages 4379-4392, December.
    15. Yu, Yubing & Zhang, Justin Zuopeng & Cao, Yanhong & Kazancoglu, Yigit, 2021. "Intelligent transformation of the manufacturing industry for Industry 4.0: Seizing financial benefits from supply chain relationship capital through enterprise green management," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    16. Maximilian Klöckner & Christoph G. Schmidt & Stephan M. Wagner, 2022. "When Blockchain Creates Shareholder Value: Empirical Evidence from International Firm Announcements," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(1), pages 46-64, January.
    17. Wang, Chengfu & Chen, Xiangfeng & Xu, Xun & Jin, Wei, 2023. "Financing and operating strategies for blockchain technology-driven accounts receivable chains," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 304(3), pages 1279-1295.
    18. Olumide Emmanuel Oluyisola & Fabio Sgarbossa & Jan Ola Strandhagen, 2020. "Smart Production Planning and Control: Concept, Use-Cases and Sustainability Implications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-29, May.
    19. Livio Cricelli & Serena Strazzullo, 2021. "The Economic Aspect of Digital Sustainability: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-15, July.
    20. Niu, Baozhuang & Ruan, Yiyuan & Xu, Haotao, 2023. "Turn a blind eye? E-tailer's blockchain participation considering upstream competition between copycats and brands," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:33:y:2025:i:2:p:2189-2202. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1099-1719 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.