Identification and ranking of barriers to implementing the 4th generation industry based on supply chain sustainability and circular economy

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Industrial management, Ph.D. Candidate, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 Professor, Industrial Management, Tehran, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Management Department and Research Director of Systems Dynamics, Imam Javad Institute of Higher Education

10.22104/jtdm.2025.7298.3380

Abstract

In the era of Industry 4, organizations aim to increase sustainability in global markets at the end of the product life cycle. However, due to the most important barriers, the adoption of digital and sustainable solutions is challenging. This study is a mixed research and data collection that, by analyzing the literature and expert opinions, examined the barriers to supply chain sustainability using a qualitative meta-synthesis method, which determined twenty-three indicators and then selected the final fourteen variables using Delphi analysis and Kendall coefficient in SPSS. Then, using the DEMATEL-ISM hybrid method in MATLAB and EXCEL, the levels of importance of the barriers and their classification into the group of causal and effect variables . The lack of specialized staff and insufficient training are the most influential factors and are among the causal variables. The lack of circular design and awareness of consumers and manufacturers about some circular products are among the most influential factors. technical limitations, lack of resources, high cost of system integration, high initial investment cost, lack of integration and misuse of data, problems and concerns related to cybersecurity and limited environmental knowledge, lack of innovation and cooperation with environmental institutions are highlighted in the ISM model.

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History

  • Receive Date: 22 December 2024
  • Revise Date: 07 September 2025
  • Accept Date: 04 October 2025

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