A review of Industry 4.0 in supply chain management studies

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess how the emergent theme of Industry 4.0 is considered in the context of supply chain management (SCM) and to identify important areas for future research. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review of 334 studies is carried out. The papers have been analyzed by having a focus on the unit of analysis, research methods used, the key themes covered and how the debate has evolved over a period of time. Findings Findings of the study reveal that scholars have so far focused on principles and practices for digitized SCM, identified enablers and barriers, and considered the Industry 4.0 at various levels, particularly at the firm level. Majority of studies focus on manufacturing from the perspective of the focal firm. Research limitations/implications Limitation of this study is its unit of analysis where only peer-reviewed journal and conference articles published in the English language have been considered. Practical implications This review identifies the important themes and areas for practitioners to consider vis-à-vis the implementation of Industry 4.0 standards in supply chains. The review provides insights into under-researched areas and highlights the need for future researchers to develop more practical models for guiding the implementation of Industry 4.0. Originality/value This paper is one among the few studies that assess the Industry 4.0 implementation in the context of SCM and provides insights and implications for further research.