Industry 4.0, Circular Economy and Sustainable Development Goals: Future Research Directions Through Scientometrics and Mini-Review

Maximo Baca-Neglia, Carmen Barreto-Pio, Paul Virú-Vásquez (), Edwin Badillo-Rivera, Mary Flor Césare-Coral, Jhimy Brayam Castro-Pantoja, Alejandrina Sotelo-Méndez, Juan Saldivar-Villarroel, Antonio Arroyo-Paz, Raymunda Veronica Cruz-Martinez, Edgar Norabuena Meza and Teodosio Celso Quispe-Ojeda
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Maximo Baca-Neglia: Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Natural Resources, Universidad Nacional del Callao, Callao 07011, Peru
Carmen Barreto-Pio: Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Natural Resources, Universidad Nacional del Callao, Callao 07011, Peru
Paul Virú-Vásquez: Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Natural Resources, Universidad Nacional del Callao, Callao 07011, Peru
Edwin Badillo-Rivera: Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Natural Resources, Universidad Nacional del Callao, Callao 07011, Peru
Mary Flor Césare-Coral: Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima 15024, Peru
Jhimy Brayam Castro-Pantoja: Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima 15024, Peru
Alejandrina Sotelo-Méndez: Facultad de Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima 15024, Peru
Juan Saldivar-Villarroel: Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad Nacional de Cañete, Lima 15024, Peru
Antonio Arroyo-Paz: Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Tecnológica del Peru, Lima 15024, Peru
Raymunda Veronica Cruz-Martinez: Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad Nacional de Cañete, Lima 15024, Peru
Edgar Norabuena Meza: Facultad de Ingeniería Química y Textil, Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, Lima 15001, Peru
Teodosio Celso Quispe-Ojeda: Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, Lima 15001, Peru

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 14, 1-21

Abstract: The global pursuit of sustainable development has intensified the need to integrate Circular Economy (CE), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Industry 4.0 (I4.0) as mutually reinforcing frameworks. This study explores the scientific evolution and interconnections among these pillars through a dual approach: (i) a scientometric analysis using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix in RStudio (2024.12.1+563), and (ii) a targeted mini-review of high-impact literature. A dataset of 478 Scopus-indexed articles (2016–2024) was analyzed, revealing CE and I4.0 as key technological and strategic enablers of the SDGs—particularly SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Moreover, the results underscore an increasing role of enabling digital technologies—such as IoT, blockchain, and big data—in shaping sustainable production systems. An important insight from this work is the growing relevance of policy frameworks as catalysts for implementing CE and I4.0 strategies, especially within national and international sustainability agendas. However, the low citation frequency of “policy” as a keyword indicates a gap in the literature that merits further exploration. Future research is encouraged to conduct in-depth bibliometric studies focused on sustainability-related policies, including regulations that operationalize CE and I4.0 to support SDG achievement. This study contributes a comprehensive overview of emerging research trends, identifies strategic knowledge gaps, and highlights the need for cohesive governance mechanisms to accelerate the digital–ecological transition.

Keywords: circular economy; sustainable development goals; industry 4.0; policy frameworks; scientometric analysis; sustainability governance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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