Federico Briatore

Purpose: This article examines how five process-management paradigms - Reengineering, Total Quality Management (TQM), Lean Manufacturing (LM), Six Sigma (SS) and Lean Six Sigma (LSS) - interact with and enable Industry 4.0 (I4.0), reconceptualising process management (PM) as a strategic lever by mapping technological and organisational variables for its adoption. Design/methodology/approach: Following PRISMA guidelines for a systematic literature review (SLR), we used Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) and conducted backward snowballing, analysing 120 peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2015 and 2025. Findings: The results reveal an I4.0 implementation gap due to limited integration between process-management paradigms and socio-technical variables. We identify and systematise these variables in a structured multidimensional input-process-output (IPO) framework. Research limitations/implications: The inclusion-exclusion criteria excluded grey literature and non-English publications, and framework applicability may differ by sector and firm size, requiring further empirical validation. The IPO framework clarifies the components and interactions between social and technical variables, and provides a roadmap for managing the socio-technical complexity of I4.0 toward holistic integration. Originality/value: This review integrates PM paradigms within a unified socio-technical IPO framework, which goes beyond existing classifications by revealing paradigm-specific contributions, misalignments and complementarities across organisational and technological dimensions of I4.0 adoption.

Background: Every company has a supply chain (SC) and must deal with its uncertainty, which can provoke a bullwhip effect; resilience of SCs is a main characteristic to be achieved. However, studies on the creation of digital SCs adopting Industry 4.0 (I4.0) are very scarce and require more attention. Objectives: Industry 4.0 is very little studied in the field of resilience of SCs, despite the huge benefits it can provide. This study aims to evaluate I4.0 to improve both strategic and operational performance. Method: Initially, a deep literature has been carried out to find out the requirements to improve the resilience of a SC and how I4.0 can contribute. Then, a framework has been developed using Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Results: The resilience of SC is a very new topic, and I4.0 can provide great benefits. The designed framework can improve resilience by integrating new technologies. Conclusion: Adopting I4.0 into the SC can be challenging, but it is mandatory to integrate it to keep competitiveness high and improve the resilience of the company. Internet of Things can collect data, analysed by AI and made available with AR and VR to operators. Contribution: This study helps in closing the gap between the need of resilience in SC and technological solutions based on I4.0. This improves warehousing, inventory management and demand forecasting with distribution communications and information technology.

Industry 4.0 represents the main paradigm currently bringing great innovation in the field of automation and data exchange among production technologies, according to the principles of interoperability, virtualization, decentralization and production flexibility. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is driven by structural changes in the manufacturing sector, such as the demand for customized products, market volatility and sustainability goals, and the integration of artificial intelligence and Big Data. This work aims to analyze, from a bibliometric point of view of journal papers on Scopus, with no time limitation, the existing literature on the application of AI in SMEs, which are crucial elements in the industrial and economic fabric of many countries. However, the adoption of modern technologies, particularly AI, can be challenging for them, due to the intrinsic structure of this type of enterprise, despite the positive effects obtained in large organizations.

Background: Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies have transformed supply chain (SC) logistics and production. However, their environmental impact, particularly on CO₂ emissions and carbon footprints, remains underexplored. This study examines the impact of I4.0 tools on SCs sustainability, focusing on reducing carbon footprints. Methods: A bibliometric analysis was conducted in October 2023 to quantitatively evaluate the scientific literature, examining publication characteristics to assess current research and forecast future trends. The Scopus database was utilized with specific filters to identify studies on the impact of I4.0 technologies in SC domains on sustainability, focusing on CO₂ emissions and carbon footprint reduction. VOSviewer software version 1.6.15 was used to analyze selected papers, revealing key keyword clusters and relationships. Results: Five clusters were identified, offering insights for supply chain managers and highlighting links between I4.0 and CO₂ reduction in supply chains: “LCA towards zero carbon”, “Supply chain carbon footprint”, “Risk and decarbonization analysis”, “Industry 4.0 and stochastic models for sustainability”, and “Biodiversity and environmental impact”. Key findings emphasize the strong connection between LCA, carbon footprint analysis, emission control, and the role of I4.0 technologies like blockchain and IoT in reducing emissions. Conclusions: This study highlights the environmental benefits of I4.0 in SC management, supporting global decarbonization goals.

Objective: the paper aims to address the surveillance of long-term bedridden patients. Although often necessary, continuous monitoring cannot be carried out due to cost constraints and limited personnel availability. Current solutions involve wearable devices and cameras, but they have limitations, as discomfort and concerns about privacy. Method: firstly, a thorough review of existing literature has been carried out. Then, it was developed the innovative system, focusing on bed monitoring instead of direct patient control. After identifying necessary patient condition data, various sensors were tested. To leverage data potential, the authors explored methods of centralizing and analyzing information. A platform was designed to assist operators in anticipating accidents. Finally, Digital Twins and Cyber Physical Systems were considered for their potential value in the system. Results: The proposed system monitors patient's bed without direct contact, in contrast to wearable devices. This innovative approach utilizes applied sensors capable of identifying risky behaviors, signs of specific pathologies, unusual movements, tremors, or abnormal humidity in the bed. The benefits include improved service levels, reduced operator surveillance, freeing up time for value-added activities, timely intervention where necessary, prevention of bed falls and sores, detection of wet beds, enhancement of sleep quality, and monitoring of weight trends. Conclusions: Literature indicates that lack of bed surveillance in healthcare is a global issue expected to worsen due to the progressive aging of the population. Authors’ 4.0 solution can effectively address this problem, improving service levels by monitoring and simulating patient behavior rather than direct monitoring, thus minimizing patient discomfort.

A major player in metal mechanic manufacture in Italy that has opted to implement Industry 4.0 standards. One of the key projects undertaken was the creation of a new vision for safety. The aim was met by a team created expressly for the company. The Team placed a high value on PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), which is equipment meant to increase the safety of the Operators while doing their responsibilities. The problem that the Team has clearly warned about, given the frequency of occurrences, is the periodic maintenance of PPE, which is required by law for each device and must be carried out according to strict guidelines to maintain their efficiency and safety certification. As a result, the Team investigated a novel methodology, the topic of this article, based on hardware and software technologies designed to monitor the legal revisions and crucial dates of each piece of PPE in use.

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to provide an effective contribution to contrast the spread of Covid19. Therefore, the authors aimed to model a new strategy (technologies and processes), using the principles made available by Industry 4.0. Method: The strategy consists in an IoT thermoscanner (developed by the authors, strategically placed throughout the settlement), and an innovative method of disinfection (achieved by redesigning the sanitization processes, using UV-C rays and gaseous Ozone produced by IoT machines, again conceptualized and developed by the authors, being capable of reproducing the Chapman Cycle and its associated benefits). This method was discussed in the article "Sanitizing of Confined Spaces Using Gaseous Ozone Produced by 4.0 Machines," which was presented at the WCE 2021 IAENG Congress (Best Paper Award of the 2021 International Conference of Systems Biology and Bioengineering). Result: The results consist in: 1. an absolute disinfection system based on a reversible cycle Oxygen-Ozone-Oxygen, with quick re-habitability of the treated rooms, at a minimum treatment costs, without expensive and harmful chemicals or moist water vapor (incompatible by nature with paper and electronics); 2. a 4.0 device for quick detection of fever; 3. clear processes for disease spread prevention. Conclusion: The target contribution was widely achieved, providing machinery, processes and procedures. The authors aim now to extend the solution proposed to any other type virus, bacteria, or pathogen agent introduced by subjects who, despite being unaware of acting as vectors, develop infection along their stay in hotels, offices or any other public place.