article · Business Strategy and the Environment
Digital technologies associated with Industry 4.0 are reshaping industrial operations towards sustainable and circular supply chains. This investigation examines how organisational factors affect the adoption of these technologies and the subsequent achievement of sustainability goals. Drawing on survey responses from 323 supply chain professionals working in the Moroccan textile sector, structural equation modelling was used alongside qualitative assessments. The findings demonstrate a strong link between adopting Industry 4.0 technologies and advancing circular, sustainable practices. Furthermore, technology adoption is positively associated with technological readiness and environmental responsiveness. However, existing organisational practices in developing nations present notable challenges to effective implementation. Overall, the evidence outlines practical insights for industry stakeholders seeking to deploy modern digital tools to improve operational efficiency and sustainability within emerging market supply chains.
As industries face mounting pressure to reduce environmental damage and minimise waste, digital transformation offers a path toward circular operations. Understanding how organisational culture and readiness influence technology adoption helps industrial sectors in emerging economies overcome operational barriers. This enables enterprises to implement modern technologies effectively, balancing commercial productivity with circular supply chain objectives and heightened environmental responsiveness.
This research provides applied insights for supply chain managers, factory operators, and technology vendors in the textile sector, particularly in developing economies. Because the study relies on empirical survey analysis rather than technology development, it sits at an applied research stage. It offers practical guidance to help enterprises identify organisational barriers, assess technological readiness, and structure the roll-out of digital systems that support circular business operations.
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Abstract Currently, researchers have been particularly interested in Industry 4.0 (I4.0) as a combination of novel revolutionary digital technologies. This evolution is transforming how organizations operate to promote sustainable and circular practices. Consequently, this research empirically investigates the capabilities of I4.0 adoption to establish a sustainable and circular supply chain. The study investigates the impact of organizational factors on the deployment of I4.0 technologies to achieve sustainability objectives. Furthermore, this approach combines empirical and qualitative analyses within a methodological framework to investigate the relationship between organizational factors, I4.0 adoption, sustainable, and circular practices. In this context, survey responses have been collected from 323 supply chain professionals in the textile sector in Morocco. Consequently, employing structural equation modeling, our results reveal a strong link between I4.0 adoption and the promotion of circular and sustainable approaches. The study finds a positive association between I4.0 adoption, technological readiness, and environmental responsiveness while highlighting the challenges posed by organizational practices on I4.0 implementation in developing countries. This research contributes to the theoretical foundations of the potential influence of I4.0 technologies, and it provides practical contributions for stakeholders to effectively embrace I4.0 technologies and thereby drive more sustainable and efficient practices.
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DOI: 10.1002/bse.3645
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