A systems perspective on the Industry 4.0 technologies as enablers of circular economy transitions
Picanço Rodrigues, Vinicius and Zancul, Eduardo; Ometto, Aldo Roberto and Sarkis, Joseph and Evans, Steve, eds. (2024) A systems perspective on the Industry 4.0 technologies as enablers of circular economy transitions. In: A Systemic Transition to Circular Economy. Greening of Industry Networks Studies . Springer, Cham, pp. 207-224. ISBN 9783031550362 (https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-55036-2_11)
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Abstract
A growing number of emerging Industry 4.0 technologies are claimed to be one of the most important enablers of the sought-after transition to the Circular Economy (CE). The technological aspects are of crucial importance for the establishment of CE as a solid paradigm. On the one hand, Industry 4.0 technologies can improve existing operations – thus enabling multiple CE strategies – while the development of new technologies and increased information sharing act as drivers for CE within manufacturing companies. On the other hand, the lack of adequate information and knowledge, coupled with limited technology adoption and technical skills, form strong barriers to the wider adoption of CE. In addition, Industry 4.0 technologies can profoundly influence the adoption of CE at different levels and forms, both in terms of product design and process management. This transition involves fundamental changes in various processes across the value chain, from product design and innovation to end-of-life mechanisms and business model innovation. Furthermore, the development of a CE requires both technological and sustainability perspectives to be fully realized, underpinned by a systems interpretation that captures the complexity and emergence of such phenomena. However, despite the increased availability and understanding of Industry 4.0 technologies and the ever-growing consolidation of the theoretical and empirical foundations of CE, there is still a lack of understanding of how these technologies can adequately support the transition to a CE. Based on a systems account of technological and sustainability transitions, this chapter reviews key CE strategies and Industry 4.0 technologies to provide a systemic framework and a selected set of cases that illustrate how Industry 4.0 technologies can be one of the key drivers of circularity across industries, sectors, and geographies.
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Item type: Book Section ID code: 90035 Dates: DateEvent30 March 2024Published29 March 2024Published OnlineNotes: Copyright © 2024 Springer-Verlag. This version of the chapter has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-55036-2_11. Subjects: Social Sciences > Economic History and Conditions
Social Sciences > Commerce > Marketing. Distribution of products
Technology > Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) > Engineering design
Technology > ManufacturesDepartment: Faculty of Engineering > Design, Manufacture and Engineering Management Depositing user: Pure Administrator Date deposited: 25 Jul 2024 11:09 Last modified: 27 Jul 2024 11:11 URI: https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/90035