Exploring Industry 4.0’s Role in Sustainable Supply Chains: Perspectives from a Bibliometric Review

Federico Briatore (), Francesca Vanni, Marco Tullio Mosca, Roberto Nicola Mosca, Fabio Fruggiero and Francesco Mancusi
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Federico Briatore: Mechanical, Industrial and Transport Engineer Department (D.I.M.E.), University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, Italy
Francesca Vanni: Mechanical, Industrial and Transport Engineer Department (D.I.M.E.), University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, Italy
Marco Tullio Mosca: Mechanical, Industrial and Transport Engineer Department (D.I.M.E.), University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, Italy
Roberto Nicola Mosca: Mechanical, Industrial and Transport Engineer Department (D.I.M.E.), University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, Italy
Fabio Fruggiero: Department of Engineering, Industrial Systems, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
Francesco Mancusi: Department of Engineering, Industrial Systems, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy

Logistics, 2025, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-18

Abstract: Background: Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies have transformed supply chain (SC) logistics and production. However, their environmental impact, particularly on CO 2 emissions and carbon footprints, remains underexplored. This study examines the impact of I4.0 tools on SCs sustainability, focusing on reducing carbon footprints. Methods: A bibliometric analysis was conducted in October 2023 to quantitatively evaluate the scientific literature, examining publication characteristics to assess current research and forecast future trends. The Scopus database was utilized with specific filters to identify studies on the impact of I4.0 technologies in SC domains on sustainability, focusing on CO 2 emissions and carbon footprint reduction. VOSviewer software version 1.6.15 was used to analyze selected papers, revealing key keyword clusters and relationships. Results: Five clusters were identified, offering insights for supply chain managers and highlighting links between I4.0 and CO 2 reduction in supply chains: “LCA towards zero carbon”, “Supply chain carbon footprint”, “Risk and decarbonization analysis”, “Industry 4.0 and stochastic models for sustainability”, and “Biodiversity and environmental impact”. Key findings emphasize the strong connection between LCA, carbon footprint analysis, emission control, and the role of I4.0 technologies like blockchain and IoT in reducing emissions. Conclusions: This study highlights the environmental benefits of I4.0 in SC management, supporting global decarbonization goals.

Keywords: Industry 4.0; supply chain sustainability; carbon footprint; bibliometric analysis; closed-loop supply chain; supply chain; digital transformation; sustainability; digital supply chain; Supply Chain 4.0 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L8 L80 L81 L86 L87 L9 L90 L91 L92 L93 L98 L99 M1 M10 M11 M16 M19 R4 R40 R41 R49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlogis:v:9:y:2025:i:1:p:26-:d:1588178

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