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Barriers and Enablers for the Integration of Industry 4.0 and Sustainability in Supply Chains of MSMEs

Author

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  • Eduardo Machado

    (Industrial Engineering Department, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de Janeiro 22541-041, Brazil)

  • Luiz Felipe Scavarda

    (Industrial Engineering Department, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de Janeiro 22541-041, Brazil)

  • Rodrigo Goyannes Gusmão Caiado

    (Industrial Engineering Department, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de Janeiro 22541-041, Brazil
    Tecgraf Institute, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de Janeiro 22541-041, Brazil)

  • Antonio Márcio Tavares Thomé

    (Industrial Engineering Department, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de Janeiro 22541-041, Brazil)

Abstract

The integration of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and sustainability in supply chains emerged as a relevant topic and, therefore, has attracted the interest of academics and practitioners. Many barriers challenge this integration, and enablers to overcome these barriers need to be understood. Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have many difficulties to overcome these barriers and successfully implement this integration. Moreover, solutions for larger enterprises do not necessarily fit MSMEs, which reinforces the need to investigate the topic further. Within this context, the goals of this paper are: (i) to identify the main barriers and enablers to integrate I4.0 and sustainability in supply chains of MSMEs and (ii) to analyze the influence among these barriers and enablers, identifying the most prominent ones. A convergent parallel multimethod approach is adopted, first embracing a scoping review to identify main barriers, enablers, and associated categories. Then, conducting a panel of experts with 25 specialists in two rounds to refine and classify the identified barriers and enablers towards the perspective of MSMEs. Finally, two focus group discussions are added using the fuzzy logic and DEMATEL methods to obtain the inter-relationship of barriers and enablers for MSMEs. Research findings reveal eight barriers, eight enablers, and their respective cause-effect relationship, which are expected to help MSMEs managers and decision-makers better understand and implement the integration between I4.0 and sustainability in their supply chains. Results are discussed in eleven research propositions and four propositions for practitioners and policymakers.

Suggested Citation

  • Eduardo Machado & Luiz Felipe Scavarda & Rodrigo Goyannes Gusmão Caiado & Antonio Márcio Tavares Thomé, 2021. "Barriers and Enablers for the Integration of Industry 4.0 and Sustainability in Supply Chains of MSMEs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-31, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:21:p:11664-:d:662042
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    1. Mehrnaz Jalali & Bo Feng & Junwen Feng, 2022. "An Analysis of Barriers to Sustainable Supply Chain Management Implementation: The Fuzzy DEMATEL Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-30, October.
    2. Titov Sergei & Trachuk Arkady & Linder Natalya & RD Pathak & Danny Samson & Zafar Husain & S Sushil, 2023. "Digital transformation enablers in high-tech and low-tech companies: A comparative analysis," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 48(4), pages 801-843, November.
    3. Bueno, Adauto & Goyannes Gusmão Caiado, Rodrigo & Guedes de Oliveira, Thaís Lopes & Scavarda, Luiz Felipe & Filho, Moacir Godinho & Tortorella, Guilherme Luz, 2023. "Lean 4.0 implementation framework: Proposition using a multi-method research approach," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).

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