Implementing Sustainable Supply Chain 4.0 in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs): A Review

Abstract

In recent years, the concept of sustainable supply chain management has gained considerable attention from both academics and practitioners. With the rise of Industry 4.0, there is a growing interest in integrating sustainability and digitalization in supply chain management. However, while many studies have examined the implementation of sustainable supply chain management practices in large enterprises, there is limited research on the implementation of sustainable supply chain 4.0 in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing literature on implementing sustainable supply chain 4.0 in SMEs. It examines the challenges and opportunities of implementing sustainable supply chain 4.0 practices in SMEs and identifies the critical success factors that can contribute to the successful implementation of these practices. The review finds that SMEs face several challenges when implementing sustainable supply chain 4.0 practices, including financial constraints, lack of resources, and limited technological capabilities. However, SMEs can also benefit significantly from implementing sustainable supply chain 4.0 practices, such as reducing costs, enhancing their competitiveness, and improving their environmental and social performance. Moreover, the review identifies critical success factors for implementing sustainable supply chain 4.0 in SMEs, such as leadership commitment, stakeholder engagement, collaboration, and information sharing. The review also highlights the role of digital technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and artificial intelligence (AI), in facilitating the implementation of sustainable supply chain practices in SMEs. This review contributes to the literature on sustainable supply chain management by providing insights into the challenges and opportunities of implementing sustainable supply chain 4.0 in SMEs. The findings of this review can help SMEs to understand the benefits of sustainable supply chain 4.0 practices and identify the critical success factors for their implementation. Additionally, this review can assist policymakers in developing supportive policies and programs to facilitate the adoption of sustainable supply chain 4.0 practices in SMEs.