Forging Pathways to Circular Economy Excellence: Integrating Industry 4.0 with Quality Management

Abstract

The convergence of industry 4.0 technologies with supply chain operations and sustainability initiatives has sparked interest in integrating supply chain quality management with these advancements, termed SCQM 4.0. A comprehensive literature review spanning 1998 to 2023, analyzing 232 papers, unveiled key trends, identified research gaps, and outlined a future research agenda for SCQM 4.0. The review culminated in the development of a comprehensive theoretical framework for SCQM 4.0 geared towards fostering sustainability within a circular economy framework, encompassing economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Notably, the study implies a rising enthusiasm for leveraging industry 4.0 tools such as the internet of things, blockchain, traceability systems, and smart packaging to enhance quality management within circular supply chain operations. Additionally, it proposes SCQM 4.0 strategies aimed at achieving holistic sustainability objectives in circular economies, underscoring implications for further scholarly inquiry in this dynamic field. To promote supply chain quality management digitalization, supply chain stakeholders should analyze research gaps and develop practical implementation plans using the SCQM 4.0 framework. Additionally, exploratory qualitative investigations among organizations and industries should be conducted to identify essential components in sustainable SCQM 4.0.