SUSTAINABILITY AND THE CONCEPT OF SHARED VALUE AND THE 4TH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF TWO SCIENTIFIC NETWORKS

Inge De Wet,De Kock Imke

doi:10.7166/32-3-2609

Abstract

The role of the technologies, concepts, and philosophies associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has been argued to hold significant value in the quest for sustainability. Furthermore, the concept of ‘shared value’ has been put forward as an approach that holds significant value when aiming to bring about socially just, economically fair, and environmentally friendly production and consumption practices. The importance of the link between the concept of shared value and 4IR is explored in this paper using bibliometric analysis, and we expose the different structures of these fields, including keywords, key authors, and the coherence of these two scientific networks in order to uncover areas of integration between them. The findings of this analysis indicate that a clear gap in integration exists; and the opportunity for research in this field could further contribute to the debate on using innovative, contemporary technologies — such as those associated with 4IR — to support approaches to ensure increasingly sustainable business practices, such as shared value.

Highlights

CORPORATE SHARED VALUE AND THE 4IRThe Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is a technological transformation that will radically change how we live, function, and interact with one another
The short time line renders the field novel, and the lack of a comprehensive coverage of various parts of the world outside developed countries leaves significant opportunity for research outside that region to assess what these concepts are in their contexts, and their implications
The subject areas and keywords indicate that there is a high possibility for parallels with research that focuses only on the sustainability aspect of shared value and 4IR, as both ideas are linked to this concept

Summary

Introduction

CORPORATE SHARED VALUE AND THE 4IRThe Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is a technological transformation that will radically change how we live, function, and interact with one another. The 4IR is referred to as ‘Industry 4.0’, a term that was coined in Germany in 2011 [3]. These technologies have significant implications for the conceptualisation and enjoyment of human rights [2]. They raise concerns about issues of power asymmetry, security, and the resulting threats of inequality, disempowerment, and exploitation [2]. According to Schwab, 4IR has the ability to create sustainable, socially inclusive, and resource-secure economies, and to improve global environmental sustainability and governance — “a crucial human rights goal” [4]

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