In recent years, the focus on the circular economy (CE) and the business models implemented by companies to achieve circularity has grown exponentially. Industry 4.0 technologies (I4.0Ts) represent a valuable tool in the green transition. Companies are increasingly using technologies such as big data analysis, cloud computing, cyber-physical product systems, and the internet of things (IoT) to monitor and analyse their operations in terms of resource utilisation, especially from the perspective of the 7R CE components: reduce, reuse, recycle, recover, rot, repurpose, and rethinking. However, scholars have noted a gap in research on the relationship between I4.0Ts and CE. To fill this gap, this study disseminated a questionnaire survey to all companies listed on the Italian Stock Exchange that have published the DNF report as of 31 December 2021. The findings show a positive influence of I4.0Ts on reducing resource consumption but a lower capacity of I4.0Ts to influence the reuse and recycling of CE components.
The effect of Industry 4.0 technologies in fostering Circular Economy
Pozzoli Matteo
2024-01-01
Abstract
In recent years, the focus on the circular economy (CE) and the business models implemented by companies to achieve circularity has grown exponentially. Industry 4.0 technologies (I4.0Ts) represent a valuable tool in the green transition. Companies are increasingly using technologies such as big data analysis, cloud computing, cyber-physical product systems, and the internet of things (IoT) to monitor and analyse their operations in terms of resource utilisation, especially from the perspective of the 7R CE components: reduce, reuse, recycle, recover, rot, repurpose, and rethinking. However, scholars have noted a gap in research on the relationship between I4.0Ts and CE. To fill this gap, this study disseminated a questionnaire survey to all companies listed on the Italian Stock Exchange that have published the DNF report as of 31 December 2021. The findings show a positive influence of I4.0Ts on reducing resource consumption but a lower capacity of I4.0Ts to influence the reuse and recycling of CE components.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
