{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,20]],"date-time":"2025-12-20T22:00:30Z","timestamp":1766268030234,"version":"3.45.0"},"reference-count":105,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"22","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,13]],"date-time":"2025-11-13T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1762992000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"FCT\u2014Foundation for Science and Technology","award":["UIDB\/00319\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/00319\/2020"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Sustainability"],"abstract":"<jats:p>This article presents a systemic framework for integrating Industry 4.0 technologies with sustainability practices, structured around three strategic pillars: technological selection, technological integration, and sustainability assessment. To support its development, a systematic literature review was conducted, applying the PICO methodology (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) to ensure structured and reproducible research, and following PRISMA guidelines to guarantee methodological transparency and rigor. Relevant studies focusing on Industry 4.0 and sustainability integration were identified, analyzed, and synthesized. The proposed framework comprises five iterative stages\u2014diagnosis, selection and prioritization, integration, assessment, and continuous improvement\u2014complemented by practical guidelines to facilitate implementation across diverse organizational contexts, including administrative, financial, and human resources departments. It enables organizations to select appropriate technologies, evaluate multidimensional sustainability impacts, and align innovation with environmental, economic, and social objectives, providing a structured roadmap for decision-making. Comparative analysis with selected literature highlights that the framework fills existing gaps in systemic integration, multidimensional assessment, and iterative adaptation. Although conceptual, it integrates literature review insights and three illustrative case studies, offering a practical pathway for sustainable technological adoption. Future research should focus on empirical validation and metric development to consolidate its applicability across industrial sectors.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/su172210160","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,14]],"date-time":"2025-11-14T09:06:36Z","timestamp":1763111196000},"page":"10160","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["A Conceptual Framework of the Technological Integration of Industry 4.0 with Sustainability Concepts"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"17","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5267-5996","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Leonel","family":"Patr\u00edcio","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Production and Systems, Algoritmi\/LASI, University of Minho, 4804-533 Guimar\u00e3es, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2299-1859","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Leonilde","family":"Varela","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Production and Systems, Algoritmi\/LASI, University of Minho, 4804-533 Guimar\u00e3es, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5040-0403","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Zilda","family":"Silveira","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sao Carlos School of Engineering, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 13566-590, Brazil"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,13]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","first-page":"843","article-title":"Industry 4.0 and the transformation of manufacturing systems","volume":"60","author":"Smith","year":"2022","journal-title":"Int. J. Prod. Res."},{"key":"ref_2","first-page":"563","article-title":"Digitalisation, value chains and global competitiveness: A study of Industry 4.0","volume":"58","author":"Davis","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Manuf. Syst."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e43529","DOI":"10.1016\/j.heliyon.2025.e43529","article-title":"Exploring the intersection of Industry 4.0 technologies, circular economy, and sustainable performance: A systematic literature review and future research directions","volume":"11","author":"Alsaoudi","year":"2025","journal-title":"Heliyon"},{"key":"ref_4","first-page":"222","article-title":"Artificial intelligence and sustainable manufacturing: Opportunities and challenges","volume":"35","author":"Wilson","year":"2023","journal-title":"Sustain. Prod. Consum."},{"key":"ref_5","first-page":"129766","article-title":"Additive manufacturing and industrial sustainability: A review","volume":"330","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Clean. Prod."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Tavares-Lehmann, A.T., and Varum, C. (2021). Industry 4.0 and Sustainability: A Bibliometric Literature Review. Sustainability, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/su13063493"},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"22","DOI":"10.1007\/s43621-021-00030-1","article-title":"Industry 4.0: A step towards achieving the SDGs? A critical literature review","volume":"2","author":"Beier","year":"2021","journal-title":"Discov. Sustain."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Espina-Romero, L., Vilchez Pirela, R.A., and Guti\u00e9rrez Hurtado, H. (2024). Challenges and Opportunities in the Implementation of AI in Manufacturing: A Bibliometric Analysis. Science, 6.","DOI":"10.3390\/sci6040060"},{"key":"ref_9","first-page":"113","article-title":"Industry 4.0 and circular economy: A review and a conceptual framework","volume":"185","author":"Jamwal","year":"2021","journal-title":"Procedia Comput. Sci."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ejsmont, K., Grzybowska, K., and Lasota, J. (2020). Integrating Industry 4.0 technologies for sustainable manufacturing: A systematic review. Sustainability, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/su12145650"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mart\u00edn G\u00f3mez, A.M., Agote Garrido, A., and Lama, J.R. (2024). A Framework for Sustainable Manufacturing: Integrating Industry 4.0 Technologies with Industry 5.0 Values. Sustainability, 16.","DOI":"10.3390\/su16041364"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Rossi, L., Pirotta, M., Canetta, L., and Sorlini, M. (2025, January 16\u201319). Framework to Support Digital and Sustainable Manufacturing: From Research Environments to Industrial Applications. Proceedings of the 2025 IEEE International Conference on Engineering, Technology, and Innovation (ICE\/ITMC), Valencia, Spain.","DOI":"10.1109\/ICE\/ITMC65658.2025.11106542"},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"131094","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jclepro.2022.131094","article-title":"Big Data analytics in Industry 4.0: Opportunities for sustainable operations","volume":"345","author":"Chen","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Clean. Prod."},{"key":"ref_14","unstructured":"Abbasnejad, B., Soltani, S., Karamoozian, A., and Gu, N. (2024). A systematic literature review on the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies in sustainability improvement of transportation construction projects: State-of-the-art and future directions. Smart Sustain. Built Environ. Press."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"345","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ifacol.2024.07.175","article-title":"Towards Sustainable Cyber-Physical Manufacturing Systems","volume":"58","author":"Brennan","year":"2024","journal-title":"IFAC-PapersOnLine"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Patr\u00edcio, L., Costa, L., Varela, L., and \u00c1vila, P. (2023). Sustainable Implementation of Robotic Process Automation Based on a Multi-Objective Mathematical Model. Sustainability, 15.","DOI":"10.3390\/su152015045"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Patr\u00edcio, L., Varela, L., and Silveira, Z. (2025). Framework for Integrating Requirements Engineering and DevOps Practices in Robotic Process Automation with a Focus on Optimizing Human\u2013Computer Interaction. Appl. Sci., 15.","DOI":"10.3390\/app15073485"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Patr\u00edcio, L., Varela, L., Silveira, Z., Felgueiras, C., and Pereira, F. (2025). A Framework for Integrating Robotic Process Automation with Artificial Intelligence Applied to Industry 5.0. Appl. Sci., 15.","DOI":"10.3390\/app15137402"},{"key":"ref_19","first-page":"120451","article-title":"Industry 4.0, digitisation, and sustainability excellence: Nine future research directions","volume":"163","author":"Ghobakhloo","year":"2021","journal-title":"Technol. Forecast. Social. Change"},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Torbacki, W. (2025). Towards Sustainable Industry 4.0: An MCDA-Based Assessment Framework for Manufacturing and Logistics. Sustainability, 17.","DOI":"10.3390\/su17115082"},{"key":"ref_21","unstructured":"Zhang, W., Chen, Y., and Zhou, X. (2022). Smart manufacturing and sustainability: A bibliometric analysis of Industry 4.0 research. Sustainability, 14."},{"key":"ref_22","first-page":"451","article-title":"Digital twin technology for circular economy and sustainable manufacturing: A review","volume":"66","author":"Nguyen","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Manuf. Syst."},{"key":"ref_23","first-page":"135259","article-title":"Technology integration for sustainable manufacturing: A review and future research agenda","volume":"383","author":"Kumar","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Clean. Prod."},{"key":"ref_24","first-page":"12","article-title":"Additive and subtractive manufacturing for sustainability: A systematic review","volume":"8","author":"Likert","year":"2021","journal-title":"Manuf. Rev."},{"key":"ref_25","unstructured":"Rossi, M., Locatelli, G., Broccardo, P., and Galati, F. (2023). The role of AI in sustainable smart factories: Evidence from European manufacturers. Sustainability, 15."},{"key":"ref_26","first-page":"21470","article-title":"Value creation and capture in innovation ecosystems","volume":"10","author":"Zen","year":"2022","journal-title":"Int. J. Innov."},{"key":"ref_27","first-page":"108148","article-title":"Blockchain applications in supply-chain traceability for the circular economy","volume":"169","author":"Verma","year":"2022","journal-title":"Comput. Ind. Eng."},{"key":"ref_28","first-page":"511","article-title":"Augmented reality and worker\u2013machine interaction: Enhancing safety and inclusivity in Industry 4.0","volume":"32","author":"Moreno","year":"2022","journal-title":"Hum. Factors Ergon. Manuf."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"\u00c7\u0131nar, Z.M., Nuhu, A.A., Zeeshan, Q., Korhan, O., Asmael, M., and Safaei, B. (2020). Machine Learning in Predictive Maintenance towards Sustainable Smart Manufacturing in Industry 4.0. Sustainability, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/su12198211"},{"key":"ref_30","first-page":"2021","article-title":"Closed-loop supply chains and Industry 4.0: Designing for remanufacturing and reuse","volume":"28","author":"Kleindorfer","year":"2019","journal-title":"Prod. Oper. Manag."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"621","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cirp.2016.06.005","article-title":"Cyber-physical systems in manufacturing","volume":"65","author":"Monostori","year":"2016","journal-title":"CIRP Ann."},{"key":"ref_32","first-page":"678","article-title":"Energy consumption optimisation in smart factories using IoT and AI","volume":"8","author":"Liu","year":"2022","journal-title":"Energy Rep."},{"key":"ref_33","first-page":"131624","article-title":"Life-cycle assessment and Industry 4.0 technologies: A meta-analysis","volume":"354","author":"Hu","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Clean. Prod."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Caiado, R., Scavarda, L.F., Azevedo, B., De Mattos Nascimento, D.L., and Quelhas, O.L.G. (2022). Challenges and Benefits of Sustainable Industry 4.0 for Operations and Supply Chain Management\u2014A Framework Headed toward the 2030 Agenda. Sustainability, 14.","DOI":"10.3390\/su14020830"},{"key":"ref_35","unstructured":"Chatterjee, S., Ghosh, D., Roy, S., and Chakrabarti, S. (2023). Human-centric Industry 4.0 and the implications for socio-economic sustainability. Sustainability, 15."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Meshcheryakova, T., Bisht, Y.S., Dixit, S., Chidananda, K., Kumari, N., and Garg, D. (2024). Augmented Reality and AI in Smart Manufacturing: An Empirical Investigation. BIO Web Conf., 86.","DOI":"10.1051\/bioconf\/20248601066"},{"key":"ref_37","first-page":"106489","article-title":"Big Data-driven circular economy: Opportunities and challenges","volume":"184","author":"Zhang","year":"2023","journal-title":"Resour. Conserv. Recycl."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1516","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ifacol.2025.09.255","article-title":"Implementing Digital Twins in Supply Chain Management: A Maturity Model","volume":"59","author":"Zenezini","year":"2025","journal-title":"IFAC-PapersOnLine"},{"key":"ref_39","first-page":"263","article-title":"Usability and sustainability: A review of augmented reality in production systems","volume":"110","author":"Herrmann","year":"2022","journal-title":"Procedia CIRP"},{"key":"ref_40","first-page":"132456","article-title":"Circular economy, Industry 4.0 and sustainability in the automotive sector: Case studies and empirical evidence","volume":"361","author":"McKinsey","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Clean. Prod."},{"key":"ref_41","first-page":"1017","article-title":"Sustainability performance metrics in smart manufacturing: Development and validation","volume":"35","author":"Nguyen","year":"2023","journal-title":"Sustain. Prod. Consum."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e2025266","DOI":"10.31893\/multirev.2025266","article-title":"Sustainable supply chain visibility management on the ground of blockchain awareness: A systematic literature review","volume":"8","author":"Aigbogun","year":"2025","journal-title":"Multidiscip. Rev."},{"key":"ref_43","first-page":"108497","article-title":"Green innovation and Industry 4.0 technologies: An empirical investigation","volume":"258","author":"Singh","year":"2023","journal-title":"Int. J. Prod. Econ."},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Dosso, M. (2020). Technological readiness in Europe. Industry 4.0 and Regional Transformations, Routledge.","DOI":"10.4324\/9780429057984-12"},{"key":"ref_45","unstructured":"Khan, S., Singh, P., and Kumar, A. (2024). Mapping interoperability in Industry 4.0 ecosystems: Implications for circular manufacturing. J. Manuf. Appl. Sci., 14."},{"key":"ref_46","first-page":"225","article-title":"Cyber-physical systems for sustainable industrial processes: A systematic review","volume":"63","author":"Zhang","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Manuf. Syst."},{"key":"ref_47","first-page":"130","article-title":"Additive manufacturing and environmental sustainability: Review and prospects","volume":"338","author":"Morales","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Clean. Prod."},{"key":"ref_48","first-page":"101","article-title":"IoT-based energy monitoring in smart factories: Sustainability assessment","volume":"46","author":"Nguyen","year":"2021","journal-title":"Sustain. Energy Technol. Assess."},{"key":"ref_49","first-page":"106","article-title":"Smart manufacturing and circular economy: Integration for sustainable production","volume":"178","author":"Wu","year":"2022","journal-title":"Resour. Conserv. Recycl."},{"key":"ref_50","first-page":"103","article-title":"Digital twins and sustainability performance in manufacturing","volume":"139","author":"Alves","year":"2022","journal-title":"Comput. Ind."},{"key":"ref_51","first-page":"2321","article-title":"Big Data analytics in sustainable supply chain management: A review","volume":"60","author":"He","year":"2022","journal-title":"Int. J. Prod. Res."},{"key":"ref_52","first-page":"135","article-title":"Artificial intelligence for predictive maintenance and energy efficiency: Evidence from Industry 4.0","volume":"382","author":"Lopez","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Clean. Prod."},{"key":"ref_53","first-page":"45","article-title":"Sustainable manufacturing through AI and machine learning: Systematic review","volume":"31","author":"Patel","year":"2022","journal-title":"Sustain. Prod. Consum."},{"key":"ref_54","first-page":"125","article-title":"Cloud computing and Industry 4.0: Implications for sustainable manufacturing","volume":"22","author":"Li","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Ind. Inf. Integr."},{"key":"ref_55","first-page":"135","article-title":"Integrating AR in manufacturing for social sustainability: A systematic review","volume":"164","author":"Rodriguez","year":"2022","journal-title":"Comput. Ind. Eng."},{"key":"ref_56","first-page":"501","article-title":"Collaborative robotics and social responsibility in Industry 4.0","volume":"33","author":"Tan","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Manuf. Technol. Manag."},{"key":"ref_57","first-page":"101","article-title":"Industry 4.0 technologies and circular economy: Conceptual linkages and applications","volume":"29","author":"Cheng","year":"2021","journal-title":"Sustain. Prod. Consum."},{"key":"ref_58","first-page":"1309","article-title":"Additive manufacturing in sustainable supply chains: A systematic review","volume":"334","author":"Ng","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Clean. Prod."},{"key":"ref_59","first-page":"106","article-title":"3D printing and environmental sustainability: Impacts and opportunities","volume":"180","author":"Kim","year":"2022","journal-title":"Resour. Conserv. Recycl."},{"key":"ref_60","first-page":"102","article-title":"On-demand production and resource efficiency: Role of additive manufacturing","volume":"51","author":"Huang","year":"2022","journal-title":"Sustain. Energy Technol. Assess."},{"key":"ref_61","first-page":"220","article-title":"Digital transformation in sustainable manufacturing: Evidence and trends","volume":"65","author":"Smith","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Manuf. Syst."},{"key":"ref_62","first-page":"75","article-title":"Industry 4.0 and green supply chain integration: Systematic review","volume":"31","author":"Zhou","year":"2022","journal-title":"Sustain. Prod. Consum."},{"key":"ref_63","first-page":"543","article-title":"Collaborative robots for social sustainability: Systematic evidence","volume":"33","author":"Ali","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Manuf. Technol. Manag."},{"key":"ref_64","first-page":"153","article-title":"AR and worker training in smart factories: A review","volume":"164","author":"Moreno","year":"2022","journal-title":"Comput. Ind. Eng."},{"key":"ref_65","first-page":"102","article-title":"Human-robot collaboration for sustainable operations: A review","volume":"74","author":"Wang","year":"2022","journal-title":"Robot. Comput.-Integr. Manuf."},{"key":"ref_66","first-page":"107","article-title":"Augmented reality applications for workplace safety in Industry 4.0","volume":"154","author":"Perez","year":"2022","journal-title":"Saf. Sci."},{"key":"ref_67","first-page":"145","article-title":"AI-driven optimisation for sustainable manufacturing: Evidence from industrial case studies","volume":"370","author":"Singh","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Clean. Prod."},{"key":"ref_68","first-page":"115","article-title":"Big Data applications for environmental monitoring in smart factories","volume":"53","author":"Choi","year":"2022","journal-title":"Sustain. Energy Technol. Assess."},{"key":"ref_69","first-page":"120","article-title":"Conceptual frameworks for Industry 4.0 and sustainability: Review and analysis","volume":"29","author":"Nguyen","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Ind. Inf. Integr."},{"key":"ref_70","first-page":"61","article-title":"Sustainability assessment frameworks for Industry 4.0: Systematic review","volume":"34","author":"Garcia","year":"2023","journal-title":"Sustain. Prod. Consum."},{"key":"ref_71","first-page":"140","article-title":"Empirical applications of Industry 4.0 technologies for sustainability outcomes","volume":"380","author":"Hernandez","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Clean. Prod."},{"key":"ref_72","first-page":"110","article-title":"Methodological approaches for integrating Industry 4.0 and sustainability: Evidence from case studies","volume":"167","author":"Fernandez","year":"2023","journal-title":"Comput. Ind. Eng."},{"key":"ref_73","first-page":"4112","article-title":"Industrial adoption of smart technologies for sustainable operations: Review and perspectives","volume":"61","author":"Kaur","year":"2023","journal-title":"Int. J. Prod. Res."},{"key":"ref_74","first-page":"260","article-title":"Cross-sectoral applications of Industry 4.0 for sustainability","volume":"66","author":"Han","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Manuf. Syst."},{"key":"ref_75","first-page":"120","article-title":"Computational simulations for assessing Industry 4.0 sustainability impacts","volume":"76","author":"Liu","year":"2023","journal-title":"Robot. Comput.-Integr. Manuf."},{"key":"ref_76","first-page":"105","article-title":"Simulation-based approaches for sustainable smart manufacturing","volume":"36","author":"Zhang","year":"2023","journal-title":"Sustain. Prod. Consum."},{"key":"ref_77","first-page":"150","article-title":"Conceptual models linking Industry 4.0 technologies to sustainability","volume":"385","author":"Patel","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Clean. Prod."},{"key":"ref_78","first-page":"140","article-title":"Integrative frameworks for Industry 4.0 and the triple bottom line","volume":"30","author":"Martinez","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Ind. Inf. Integr."},{"key":"ref_79","first-page":"115","article-title":"Dynamic models for technological adoption and sustainability in Industry 4.0 contexts","volume":"168","author":"Chen","year":"2023","journal-title":"Comput. Ind. Eng."},{"key":"ref_80","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D.G., and The PRISMA Group (2009). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement. PLoS Med., 6.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pmed.1000097"},{"key":"ref_81","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"n71","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.n71","article-title":"The PRISMA 2020 Statement: An Updated Guideline for Reporting Systematic Reviews","volume":"372","author":"Page","year":"2021","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"key":"ref_82","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Elkington, J. (1997). Cannibals with Forks: The Triple Bottom Line of 21st Century Business, Capstone.","DOI":"10.1002\/tqem.3310080106"},{"key":"ref_83","unstructured":"World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) (1987). Our Common Future, Oxford University Press."},{"key":"ref_84","unstructured":"Kagermann, H. (2013). Recommendations for Implementing the Strategic Initiative INDUSTRIE 4.0: Securing the Future of German Manufacturing Industry. Final Report of the Industrie 4.0 Working Group, Acatech\u2014National Academy of Science and Engineering."},{"key":"ref_85","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"239","DOI":"10.1007\/s12599-014-0334-4","article-title":"Industry 4.0","volume":"6","author":"Lasi","year":"2014","journal-title":"Bus. Inf. Syst. Eng."},{"key":"ref_86","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mourtzis, D., Tsoubou, S., and Angelopoulos, J. (2023). Otimiza\u00e7\u00e3o da confiabilidade de c\u00e9lulas rob\u00f3ticas com base em g\u00eameos digitais e manuten\u00e7\u00e3o preditiva. Electronics, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/electronics12091999"},{"key":"ref_87","unstructured":"Agostinelli, S., Marrella, A., and Mecella, M. (2021). Towards Intelligent Robotic Process Automation for BPMers. arXiv."},{"key":"ref_88","first-page":"3","article-title":"A Method to Improve the Early Stages of the Robotic Process Automation Lifecycle","volume":"406","author":"Reijers","year":"2021","journal-title":"Lect. Notes Bus. Inf. Process."},{"key":"ref_89","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100431","DOI":"10.1016\/j.accinf.2019.100431","article-title":"Early Evidence of Digital Labor in Accounting: Innovation with Robotic Process Automation","volume":"35","author":"Kokina","year":"2019","journal-title":"Int. J. Account. Inf. Syst."},{"key":"ref_90","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100166","DOI":"10.1016\/j.grets.2024.100166","article-title":"Addressing challenges to cloud manufacturing in Industry 4.0 environment using an integrated approach: Implications for sustainability","volume":"3","author":"Taqi","year":"2025","journal-title":"Green Technol. Sustain."},{"key":"ref_91","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1711","DOI":"10.1016\/j.procs.2024.01.169","article-title":"Integrating Industry 4.0 and Circular Economy: A Conceptual Framework for Sustainable Manufacturing","volume":"232","author":"Dolci","year":"2024","journal-title":"Procedia Comput. Sci."},{"key":"ref_92","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1070","DOI":"10.1016\/j.procir.2024.10.208","article-title":"Optimizing the Sustainability of Collaborative Logistics in Urban Area through Ontologies and Causal Artificial Intelligence: A Conceptual Framework","volume":"130","author":"Prayitno","year":"2024","journal-title":"Procedia CIRP"},{"key":"ref_93","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100434","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cogsc.2020.100434","article-title":"The circular chemistry conceptual framework: A way forward to sustainability in Industry 4.0","volume":"28","author":"Mohan","year":"2021","journal-title":"Curr. Opin. Green Sustain. Chem."},{"key":"ref_94","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Zhao, T., Song, C., Yu, J., Xing, L., Xu, F., Li, W., and Wang, Z. (2025). Leveraging Immersive Digital Twins and AI-Driven Decision Support Systems for Sustainable Water Reserves Management: A Conceptual Framework. Sustainability, 17.","DOI":"10.3390\/su17083754"},{"key":"ref_95","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4772","DOI":"10.1002\/csr.2827","article-title":"A conceptual model of artificial intelligence effects on circular economy actions","volume":"31","author":"Tutore","year":"2024","journal-title":"Corp. Soc. Responsib. Environ. Manag."},{"key":"ref_96","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"164","DOI":"10.1111\/jiec.13214","article-title":"Sustainability implications of artificial intelligence in the chemical industry: A conceptual framework","volume":"26","author":"Liao","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Ind. Ecol."},{"key":"ref_97","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"9","DOI":"10.1186\/s42162-023-00259-2","article-title":"Environmentally sustainable smart cities and their converging AI, IoT, and big data technologies and solutions: An integrated approach to an extensive literature review","volume":"6","author":"Bibri","year":"2023","journal-title":"Energy Inform."},{"key":"ref_98","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"343","DOI":"10.1007\/s40171-024-00389-w","article-title":"Leveraging Additive Manufacturing for Enhanced Supply Chain Resilience and Sustainability: A Strategic Integration Framework","volume":"25","author":"Singh","year":"2024","journal-title":"Glob. J. Flex. Syst. Manag."},{"key":"ref_99","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"647","DOI":"10.1108\/CI-03-2022-0062","article-title":"Applications of Industry 4.0 digital technologies towards a construction circular economy: Gap analysis and conceptual framework","volume":"22","author":"Elghaish","year":"2022","journal-title":"Constr. Innov."},{"key":"ref_100","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"949","DOI":"10.1080\/09537325.2021.1989399","article-title":"Can Industry 4.0 hold the answer for mitigating intertemporal tensions in sustainable manufacturing? A conceptual model","volume":"35","author":"Jaaron","year":"2023","journal-title":"Technol. Anal. Strateg. Manag."},{"key":"ref_101","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Abubakr, M., Abbas, A.T., Tomaz, I., Soliman, M.S., Luqman, M., and Hegab, H. (2020). Sustainable and Smart Manufacturing: An Integrated Approach. Sustainability, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/su12062280"},{"key":"ref_102","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Jankovic, S.D., and Curovic, D.M. (2023). Strategic Integration of Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Businesses: Implications for Data Management and Human User Engagement in the Digital Era. Sustainability, 15.","DOI":"10.3390\/su152115208"},{"key":"ref_103","first-page":"1","article-title":"Theoretical framework of the Industry 4.0 risks from sustainability perspective","volume":"8","author":"Soltovski","year":"2021","journal-title":"Rev. Compet. Sustentabilidade\u2014ComSus"},{"key":"ref_104","first-page":"121","article-title":"Designing a Conceptual Framework for Industry 4.0 Technologies to Enable Circular Economy Ecosystem","volume":"21","author":"Ejaz","year":"2023","journal-title":"Manag. Glob. Transit."},{"key":"ref_105","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"D\u00edaz de Junguitu, A., and Allur, E. (2019). The Adoption of Environmental Management Systems Based on ISO 14001, EMAS, and Alternative Models for SMEs: A Qualitative Empirical Study. Sustainability, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/su11247015"}],"container-title":["Sustainability"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2071-1050\/17\/22\/10160\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,14]],"date-time":"2025-11-14T09:15:12Z","timestamp":1763111712000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2071-1050\/17\/22\/10160"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,13]]},"references-count":105,"journal-issue":{"issue":"22","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,11]]}},"alternative-id":["su172210160"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/su172210160","relation":{},"ISSN":["2071-1050"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2071-1050","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,13]]}}}