What is it about?
Industry 4.0 is transforming how businesses operate through technologies such as artificial intelligence, automation, connected devices and data analytics. However, companies in emerging economies often face different challenges from those in more developed countries. To understand what researchers have discovered about these challenges and opportunities, we systematically reviewed 345 scientific articles published between 2011 and 2023, focusing on the business and management aspects of Industry 4.0 in emerging economies. Using bibliometric techniques, which help identify connections and patterns across scientific publications, we identified four major research areas: the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, their effects on business performance and supply chains, their integration with lean management and operational efficiency and their contribution to sustainability and the circular economy. Our review also reveals important gaps in existing knowledge, particularly regarding small businesses, less studied emerging economies and the long term organisational consequences of digital transformation. Based on these findings, we propose a research agenda to guide future studies in this field.
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Why is it important?
Industry 4.0 offers significant opportunities to improve productivity, competitiveness and sustainability. However, these benefits are not equally accessible to businesses worldwide. Our review shows that research on Industry 4.0 in emerging economies has concentrated heavily on the factors that facilitate or hinder technology adoption. Other important questions, such as its effects on business models, employees, financial performance and sustainable development, require further investigation. We also identify a geographical imbalance in the literature. Countries such as India and China have received considerable attention, while many emerging economies in Latin America, Africa and other regions remain relatively understudied. These findings are valuable for researchers seeking to identify promising areas for future studies. They can also help business managers and policymakers better understand the organisational, technological and institutional challenges associated with digital transformation. The study highlights the importance of developing strategies and public policies adapted to the specific needs and circumstances of emerging economies rather than assuming that approaches developed in advanced economies will work equally well everywhere.
Perspectives
One of the main motivations behind this research was the recognition that Industry 4.0 cannot be understood solely as a technological phenomenon. Its successful implementation also depends on organisational capabilities, management practices and the economic and institutional environment in which companies operate. What I find particularly interesting is the geographical imbalance in existing research. Although emerging economies play an increasingly important role in global manufacturing, our review shows that scientific attention remains concentrated in a relatively small number of countries. I believe we need a better understanding of how businesses, particularly small and medium sized enterprises, can navigate digital transformation under different resource constraints and institutional conditions. Another important challenge is moving beyond the study of technology adoption to understand its broader consequences for employees, business performance and sustainability. My hope is that this review will help researchers identify meaningful questions and encourage more contextually grounded studies that can contribute to both scientific knowledge and better management and policy decisions.
José-Vicente Tomás-Miquel
Universitat Politecnica de Valencia
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Industry 4.0 in emerging markets: a bibliometric review of the managerial literature and research agenda, Benchmarking An International Journal, February 2025, Emerald,
DOI: 10.1108/bij-12-2023-0907.
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