Industry 4.0, circular economy, new product development and its influence on ESG factors: survey and case studies

Abstract

Currently, the circular economy (CE) has received increasing attention among researchers, practitioners and public policy makers around the world. This interest is mainly due to consumers', companies' and governments' growing concerns about environmental problems that are worsening, such as the depletion of natural resources, climate change, increased pollution, excessive land use and loss of water and biodiversity. Adopting the CE depends on product designs that incorporate the principles of circularity. In this line of thought, recent studies have also suggested that industry 4.0 technologies can contribute to developing products for the CE. Although some studies have already explored the relationship between the industry 4.0, the CE and the development of new products, there are still no studies that have integrated these three constructs and that investigate how developing CE products can contribute to environmental, social and governance factors (ESG). When considering the contingent characteristics and institutional pressures of emerging countries, such as Brazil, these results are even scarcer. This research project aims to contribute to this debate by proposing the investigation of the relationships between industry 4.0 technologies, the EC, new product development and the influences on ESG factors. For this, the study will carry out mixed method research, with adopting the research procedures of the survey (quantitative phase) and case studies (qualitative phase). The results of this research are expected to broaden the knowledge about product project management for the CE, and especially considering the characteristics and needs of companies operating in Brazil. (AU)