Synergy between Circular Economy and Industry 4.0: A Literature Review

Recent research has shown that there is a correlation between the circular economy (CE) and Industry 4.0 (I4.0). In addition, other research papers have analyzed the way that CE uses the different I4.0 technologies to transfer from the existing linear economy to CE; however, there are still gaps in the literature regarding the challenges and impacts that society and individuals must face to be ready for the transition from a linear to a circular economy. These challenges seek to guarantee the sustainability and sustainable development of the different business models that mobilize products and services through supply chains. Here, we conducted a review and compilation of the latest bibliography of circular economy and Industry 4.0 theory. The objective of this work is to present the evolutionary relationship between CE and I4.0, as well as its multi-step model of analysis. This research is relevant because its topics are timely and pertinent, especially for academics. Further, at the time that this research was performed, none of the countries were concerned about the impact that technological changes have on the human being and on society, and up to now we do not currently have studies that show how people are being trained to face the transition from the linear economy, which is common in most societies, toward a CE.