Towards a Conceptual Development of Industry 4.0, Servitisation, and Circular Economy: A Systematic Literature Review

Sehrish Atif, Shehzad Ahmed, Muhammad Wasim, Bassam Zeb, Zeeshan Pervez and Lorraine Quinn
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Sehrish Atif: School of Business & Creative Industries, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK
Shehzad Ahmed: School of Business & Creative Industries, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK
Muhammad Wasim: School of Business & Creative Industries, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK
Bassam Zeb: School of Business & Creative Industries, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK
Zeeshan Pervez: School of Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK
Lorraine Quinn: School of Business & Creative Industries, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 11, 1-27

Abstract: Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies have been highlighted in recent literature as enablers of servitisation. Simultaneously, businesses are advised to implement a circular economy (CE) to bring new opportunities. However, it is pertinent to mention that little attention has been given to assess the role of I4.0 in adopting the CE and servitisation in a fully integrated manner. This research fills this gap by developing a conceptual framework through a systematic literature review of 139 studies investigating the relationship between the I4.0, CE, and servitisation. This study identifies the impact of these variables on a firm’s operational and financial performance (revenue stream, growth, and profitability). Our research findings advocate that adopting I4.0 technologies to the business and manufacturing model enables sustainability, energy and resource efficiency while enhancing performance and offering innovative products through smart services. Thus, firms must systematically adopt I4.0 technologies to support a CE model that creates value through servitisation. This study identifies the research gaps that are unexplored for practitioners and future researchers while providing insight into the role of I4.0 in implementing CE in the servitisation business model.

Keywords: circular economy; internet of things; Industry 4.0; servitisation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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