Potentials of industry 4.0 for supply chain management within the triple bottom line of sustainability – A systematic literature review

Abstract

Industry 4.0 has been studied in the existing literature from the perspective of supply chain management or the triple bottom line of sustainability, but both perspectives have not yet been sufficiently combined. In response, this paper summarizes the current state of the literature on Industry 4.0-related potentials in the context of the triple bottom line with respect to supply chain management. To do so, the study conducts a systematic literature review, based on 55 academic articles, which are thematically analyzed and categorized according to supply chain management processes in industrial value creation. First, this study elaborates a holistic perspective on the potentials of Industry 4.0 for supply chain management with respect to the triple bottom line. Second, the interrelations between the dimensions of the triple bottom line are analyzed concerning potential conflicts and enabling technologies. Research gaps and implications for managerial practice are highlighted, such as the role of small and medium-sized enterprises within Industry 4.0, developing economies, multi-tier supply chain management, information sharing across the supply chain, and the interplay of ecological and social dimensions with economic benefits, reflected in new forms of business models, which must still be better understood. • Systematic literature review based on 55 articles. • Presents potentials of Industry 4.0 for supply chain management within the TBL. • Highlights technological enablers for potentials across the supply chain. • Discusses interdependencies and contradictory aspects within the TBL. • Future research avenues at the intersection of Industry 4.0, TBL, and SCM.