Industry 4.0, Lean Production and Sustainability: A Bibliometric and Literature Review

This chapter aims at investigating the relationships among Industry 4.0, Lean Production and Sustainability, looking for potential synergies between technological and organizational innovations in manufacturing and solutions for a more eco-efficient production. Literature review and bibliometric analysis through descriptive statistics are conducted. The chapter provides theoretical insights into these interactions. It emerges that these three dimensions complement each other, and the emerging technologies are recognised to be a potential vector, able to support lean and digitalised sustainable business models. In this perspective, a conceptual framework is elaborated which results in a digitalised lean and sustainable system offering better understanding on its potential scientific and practical implications. Stakeholders (institutions, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), companies at business, operational, process and individual (BOPI) level) can foster the transition from traditional business model to sustainable and digitalized business strategies. This research is at the intersection of different research streams. It contributes to stressing the relevance of the digital transition in a Triple Bottom line perspective and the need for innovative integrated business models.