Journal of Technology Development Management

Journal of Technology Development Management

The Transition to Industry 4.0 from a Sustainable Development Perspective: A Meta-Synthesis of Opportunities, Challenges, and Policy Requirements

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Mohadeseh Alaei 1
Mostafa Safdari Ranjbar 2
Elham Faham 3
1 MSc. Business Administration, Department of Management and Accounting, College of Farabi, University of Tehran, Qom, Iran
2 Associate Professor at the Department of Management and Accounting, University of Tehran (College of Farabi)
3 Assistant Prof., Research Institute for Information and Communication Technology, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Tehran, Iran
10.22104/jtdm.2026.7637.3415
Abstract
this study employs a meta-synthesis approach, conducting a systematic review of 30 sources—including reputable scientific articles, international policy reports published by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the World Economic Forum (WEF), and official documents released by other international entities—to identify opportunities, challenges, and policy requirements for aligning Industry 4.0 with sustainable development. The findings of this study indicate that, in the economic dimension, advanced technologies enhance productivity and competitiveness; however, high costs and dependence on foreign technology pose significant obstacles. In the social dimension, these technologies enhance access to education and public services, but they also exacerbate inequality, the digital divide, and unemployment induced by automation. In the environmental dimension, while energy consumption and pollutants are reduced, the generation of electronic waste and energy consumption by data centers remains challenging. The results underscore the necessity of strengthening digital infrastructure, developing workforce skills, establishing environmental standards, and expanding international cooperation both in technology development and in the governance and policymaking of emerging technologies. In Iran, it is essential to consider the role of sanctions, shortages in infrastructure, lack of human resource knowledge and skills, and regional inequalities when formulating policies for the transition to Industry 4.0.
Keywords
Sustainable Development
Industry 4.0
Policy Requirements
Digital Technologies
Meta-synthesis
Subjects
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  • Receive Date 23 May 2025
  • Revise Date 04 January 2026
  • Accept Date 05 January 2026