A systematic literature review of barriers and success factors for implementing Quality 4.0

NEW TRENDS IN CONTEMPORARY ECONOMICS, BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT

Revisiting benefits of Quality 4.0: insights from systematic literature review

A systematic literature review was conducted, analyzing empirical research papers published between 2017 and 2025 retrieved from the Web of Science and Scopus databases and synthesizes the performance improvements, operational efficiencies, and strategic advantages that stem from Q4.0 initiatives.

IV. NEW PERSPECTIVES ON MANAGEMENT AND ORGANISATIONAL RESILIENCE

The review synthesizes the performance improvements, operational efficiencies, and strategic advantages that stem from Q4.0 initiatives, providing a structured foundation for future research examining the strategic impact of digital quality management.

Identifying Gaps and Future Research Agenda: Key Success Factors of Digital Transformation Adoption

The purpose of this study is to advance knowledge for managers, policymakers, and researchers regarding the important key factors of successful Digital Transformation (DT) adoption, which can shed light on research gaps and help form a research agenda. A systematic literature review was conducted to analyse 26 peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2020 and 2025 from the Scopus, Emerald, Insight, Google Scholar, and ProQuest databases, following the PRISMA guidelines. Four DT adoption models, such as Diffusion of Innovation (DOI), Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Task-Technology Fit (TTF), and Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), have been analysed to understand why people embrace DT either positively or negatively. According to the literature, the success factors for adopting DT have been identified. In addition, it is found that using only one DT adoption model does not ensure success. It is advisable to use an integrated multi-model or multiple frameworks for the theoretical adoption of DT. Using multiple frameworks makes DT adoption easier to understand. The Input-Process Output (IPO) schema allows consolidating the gaps in the present state and setting out the research agenda. The IPO schema can be considered a helpful tool for identifying research gaps and setting the research agenda, as well as for planning, decision-making, and policymaking.

Barriers and drivers of industry 4.0 adoption: insights from a bibliometric analysis

This study aims to map the intellectual landscape of research on the barriers and drivers influencing Industry 4.0 (I4.0) adoption. By combining bibliometric and systematic review methods, it identifies the main contributors, research clusters and thematic trends shaping this rapidly evolving field. The goal is to uncover knowledge gaps, evaluate global collaboration patterns and clarify how technological, organizational and contextual factors affect the successful implementation of I4.0 across industries and countries. A comprehensive bibliometric and systematic review was conducted using 291 peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2016 and 2025, retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science. The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses protocol guided data selection and Bibliometrix (R) software was used for quantitative analysis. The study examined publication trends, citation patterns, co-authorship networks and thematic clusters through co-word analysis to map the structure and evolution of the research field on I4.0 adoption barriers and drivers. Results reveal a fast-growing research field with an annual growth rate of 61.78%, yet characterized by fragmented collaboration networks and isolated research clusters. Six categories of barriers and five of drivers were identified, covering financial, infrastructural, organizational, human and external dimensions. Thematic analysis yielded four research clusters – foundations of industrial transition, enabling technologies, management and digital transformation and adoption behavior – positioned across motor, basic, niche and emerging themes. A shift from theoretical to applied studies was also observed. The study is limited to English-language, peer-reviewed journal articles indexed in Scopus and Web of Science, possibly omitting relevant conference papers, reports or non-English studies. While bibliometric analysis enables large-scale mapping, it lacks qualitative depth into specific contexts. Future research should integrate additional databases, explore small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and emerging economies and investigate behavioral and socio-technical factors to strengthen theoretical integration and foster international collaboration in the I4.0 adoption discourse. The findings provide decision-makers and policymakers with a structured overview of the critical barriers and enablers of I4.0 adoption. Understanding financial, organizational and human-capital challenges helps firms design targeted digital transformation strategies. The identified drivers guide management toward leveraging technological readiness, collaborative networks and supportive regulatory environments. Policymakers can use these insights to develop more coherent industrial policies and capacity-building initiatives to facilitate the diffusion and integration of Industry 4.0 technologies. Industry 4.0 adoption influences employment structures, skill requirements and national competitiveness. Addressing human-capital gaps and promoting digital education can mitigate risks of workforce exclusion. Strengthening collaboration networks and ethical governance frameworks fosters inclusive, sustainable industrial transformation. The study highlights how aligning technological innovation with social and environmental objectives can ensure that digitalization supports long-term societal resilience and equitable economic growth in both developed and emerging contexts. This paper provides the first integrated bibliometric and systematic mapping of barriers and drivers to I4.0 adoption, offering a comprehensive synthesis of ten years of research. By categorizing 52 barriers and 42 drivers, it bridges fragmented knowledge and identifies key thematic areas, leading contributors and research gaps. The four-cluster thematic framework advances theoretical and empirical understanding of digital transformation and offers a valuable foundation for future studies aiming to enhance global Industry 4.0 readiness and collaboration.

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS OF LEAN SIX SIGMA IN SMES: A STRUCTUREDREVIEW

This study aims to identify and synthesize the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) influencing Lean Six Sigma (LSS)implementation in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conductedusing the PRISMA framework to identify, screen, and evaluate relevant studies retrieved from the Scopusdatabase. From an initial pool of 164 articles, 31 studies met the inclusion criteria and were selected fordetailed analysis. Descriptive, bibliometric, and thematic analyses were employed to examine publicationtrends, industrial sectors, research methodologies, and dominant implementation factors. The findingsindicate that Lean Six Sigma research remains highly concentrated in the manufacturing sector, while studiesfocusing specifically on SMEs remain relatively limited. The review identified several dominant Critical SuccessFactors, including top management commitment, employee involvement, training and education, customerfocus, organizational culture, strategic alignment, continuous improvement orientation, resource allocation,and technology readiness. The findings suggest that successful Lean Six Sigma implementation in SMEsdepends not only on technical tools and methodologies but also on organizational readiness and managerialcapability. This study contributes to the literature by providing an updated mapping of Lean Six Sigma researchwithin SME contexts and offers practical guidance for SME practitioners seeking to implement continuousimprovement initiatives effectively.