Industrial Management Journal

Industrial Management Journal

Mapping the intellectual structure of Industry 4.0, circular economy, and sustainable performance: A bibliometric review of knowledge evolution, emerging themes, and future research directions

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors
Maryam Heidari 1
Akbar Alem Tabriz 2
Mostafa Zandieh 2
Davood Talebi 3
1 Ph.D. Candidate in Industrial Management, Faculty of Management and Accounting, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Prof., Faculty of Management and Accounting, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
3 Assistant Prof., Faculty of Management and Accounting, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
10.22059/imj.2026.417040.1008327
Abstract
Objective: Research at the nexus of Industry 4.0, the circular economy (CE), and sustainable performance (SP) has gained considerable momentum within the broader fields of industrial transformation and sustainable development. To address this gap, the present study systematically maps the intellectual structure underlying the convergence of Industry 4.0, CE, and SP, identifies major thematic clusters, pinpoints structural deficiencies in the literature, and outlines promising directions for future inquiry.
Methodology: A bibliometric analysis was conducted using VOS viewer software on 741 articles indexed in the Scopus database from 2016 to 2026, covering eight analytical dimensions.
Results: Keyword co-occurrence analysis shows that SP holds a central, highly connected position within the knowledge network. Accordingly, the existing literature frequently examines SP in tandem with Industry 4.0 and CE frameworks, typically treating SP as an outcome of adopting Industry 4.0 technologies and implementing CE practices.
Conclusion: The analysis reveals notable knowledge voids concerning "reverse logistics" and "smart manufacturing". Conversely, "social sustainability," "digital product passport," and "Industry 5.0" emerge as rising research trends. Scientific collaboration analysis further indicates that the United Kingdom plays a pivotal role in the international research cooperation network within this field.
Keywords
Industry 4.0
circular economy
sustainable performance
bibliometrics
VOS viewer
Subjects
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Industrial Management Journal
Volume 18, Issue 4
2026
Pages 174-204