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A SAP-LAP linkages framework for integrating Industry 4.0 and circular economy

Chetna Chauhan (Indian Institute of Management Rohtak, Rohtak, India)
Abhishek Sharma (Department of Operations Management, Indian Institute of Management Rohtak, Rohtak, India)
Amol Singh (Department of Operations Management, Indian Institute of Management Rohtak, Rohtak, India)

Benchmarking: An International Journal

ISSN: 1463-5771

Article publication date: 9 July 2019

Issue publication date: 21 May 2021

1842

Abstract

Purpose

In the recent years, the two increasingly popular topics, namely, Industry 4.0 and circular economy (CE) have attracted the attention of many academicians and practitioners. However, the connection between CE and Industry 4.0 has not been much investigated in the literature. Motivated by this gap, the purpose of this paper is to integrate these two streams and attempt to understand the new paradigm of Industry 4.0 for resolving the issues pertaining to CE principles.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses situation, actor, process, learning, action, performance (SAP-LAP) linkages framework to analyze the applications of Industry 4.0 mechanisms in realizing the issues of current CE business models. This is done through the interpretation of the cross-interaction and self-interaction relationships among the different interfaces/elements of SAP-LAP.

Findings

The results suggest that top managers are the most essential actors for integrating the use of Industry 4.0 to achieve sustainability, in the light of CE. In addition, advanced technologies such as Internet of Things and cyber-physical systems are the most important Industry 4.0 actions that help in improving the CE performance parameters.

Research limitations/implications

This qualitative study is an attempt to analyze and assess the strategic issues pertaining to Industry 4.0 standards in CE. The study identifies learnings (challenges/opportunities) and the corrective actions which are imperative toward achieving CE principles. This study will guide managers and policymakers to understand the importance of implementing Industry 4.0 for accomplishing CE principles.

Originality/value

This study integrates two important streams of literature – Industry 4.0 and CE. Thus, this paper offers insights about the importance of Industry 4.0 standards in achieving CE principles.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. The authors are sincerely thankful to the editor and highly appreciate the anonymous reviewers’ comments.

Citation

Chauhan, C., Sharma, A. and Singh, A. (2021), "A SAP-LAP linkages framework for integrating Industry 4.0 and circular economy", Benchmarking: An International Journal, Vol. 28 No. 5, pp. 1638-1664. https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-10-2018-0310

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited

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