Abstract
Purpose: This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of research trends at the intersection of Industry 4.0, circular economy, and human resource management (HRM).
Design: This study analyzes 693 documents from 2019 to 2024 using a bibliometric approach, including performance, citation, keyword co-occurrence, thematic mapping, and trend topic analysis, highlighting a sharp rise in research driven by digital transformation and sustainability.
Findings: We demonstrate that Industry 4.0 and circular economy practices are well-established, while HRM’s role in supporting them is emerging. The role of HRM practices like digital skills, green HRM, and leadership in enabling sustainability is underexplored. The analysis highlights gaps in workforce development for digital and sustainable transformations and importance of global collaboration.
Implications: Theoretically, the study integrates HRM into Industry 4.0 and Circular Economy frameworks; practically, it guides organizations, policymakers, and educators in developing workforce competencies, green HRM practices, and leadership skills for sustainable digital transformation.
Originality: This is the first comprehensive bibliometric analysis integrating Industry 4.0, Circular Economy, and HRM. Unlike earlier work focused on technology or operations, it highlights HRM’s emerging role in digital and sustainable transformation. The study offers an integrated roadmap for future interdisciplinary research connecting technology, sustainability, and human capital development.
Design: This study analyzes 693 documents from 2019 to 2024 using a bibliometric approach, including performance, citation, keyword co-occurrence, thematic mapping, and trend topic analysis, highlighting a sharp rise in research driven by digital transformation and sustainability.
Findings: We demonstrate that Industry 4.0 and circular economy practices are well-established, while HRM’s role in supporting them is emerging. The role of HRM practices like digital skills, green HRM, and leadership in enabling sustainability is underexplored. The analysis highlights gaps in workforce development for digital and sustainable transformations and importance of global collaboration.
Implications: Theoretically, the study integrates HRM into Industry 4.0 and Circular Economy frameworks; practically, it guides organizations, policymakers, and educators in developing workforce competencies, green HRM practices, and leadership skills for sustainable digital transformation.
Originality: This is the first comprehensive bibliometric analysis integrating Industry 4.0, Circular Economy, and HRM. Unlike earlier work focused on technology or operations, it highlights HRM’s emerging role in digital and sustainable transformation. The study offers an integrated roadmap for future interdisciplinary research connecting technology, sustainability, and human capital development.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 43-65 |
| Number of pages | 23 |
| Journal | International Journal of Industrial Engineering and Operations Management |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 4 Nov 2025 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2026 |
UN SDGs
This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
-
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
Keywords
- Industry 4.0
- Circular Economy
- Human Resource Management
- Bibliometric Analysis
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