INDUSTRY 4.0 AND SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHAIN

Abstract

The integration of information technologies with industry has marked the beginning of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is called Industry 4.0 for short. The technologies of this era have been transforming not only the industry itself but also reshaping individuals and society. One cannot deny the very positive outcomes of Industry 4.0; however, it has also given rise to some environmental problems, including changes in climatic conditions, the running out of resources due to increasing amounts of production, industrial wastes, all of which pose irreversible threats to nature. These negative outcomes have mobilized individuals, non-governmental organizations and states requiring companies to reform the operation of supply chains in line with the sustainability principle of “meeting today’s needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. The purpose of the current study is to present how Industry 4.0 might influence the functioning of the sustainable supply chain and the benefits it might bring. First, industrial revolutions, the concept of Industry 4.0 were introduced briefly. Then, the trends in supply chain management and with reference to sustainability and the possible contributions of Industry 4.0 to sustainability were discussed.