This paper examines the convergence of Industry 5.0 and the circular economy, emphasizing the role of emerging technologies in promoting sustainability via human-centric approaches. In contrast to Industry 4.0, which prioritizes automation and digitalization, Industry 5.0 stresses the synergistic integration of technology, environmental sustainability, and human collaboration to enhance resource efficiency and minimize waste. Using co-word analysis and BERTopic modeling on 283 journal articles extracted from the Scopus database, this research identifies key trends and themes linking Industry 5.0 and the circular economy. The study findings demonstrate the use of automation, machine learning, and 3D printing in sustainable manufacturing, which aligns with circular economy principles by optimizing resource efficiency and reducing waste. The topic modeling analysis further demonstrates the role of blockchain, cybersecurity, and human-centric AI in enabling closed-loop systems while assuring transparency and accountability in circular production models. The collaboration between humans and machines emerges as a crucial topic highlighting the need for adaptive manufacturing systems to balance productivity and environmental responsibility. The findings indicate that Industry 5.0 increasingly aligns with circular economy goals, paving the way to more sustainable, resilient, and human-centric industrial processes. This study offers valuable insights for academics and practitioners, indicating that the confluence of technology, sustainability, and human involvement will propel the future of industrial innovation.

The transformative potential of blockchain technology in the renewable energy sector is increasingly gaining recognition for its capacity to enhance energy efficiency, enable decentralized trading, and ensure transaction transparency. However, despite its growing importance, there exists a significant knowledge gap in the holistic understanding of its integration and impact within this sector. Addressing this gap, the current study employs a pioneering approach, marking it as the first comprehensive bibliometric analysis in this field. We have systematically examined 390 journal articles from the Web of Science database, covering the period from 2017 through the end of February 2024, to map the current landscape and thematic trajectories of blockchain technology in renewable energy. The findings highlight several critical thematic areas, including blockchain's integration with smart grids, its role in electric vehicle integration, and its application in sustainable urban energy systems. These themes not only illustrate the diverse applications of blockchain but also its substantial potential to revolutionize energy systems. This study not only fills a crucial gap in existing literature but also sets a precedent for future interdisciplinary research in this domain, bridging theoretical insights with practical applications to fully harness the potential of blockchain in the renewable energy sector.

Industry 5.0 marks a pivotal advancement in manufacturing and bridges cutting-edge technology with human creativity to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and workplace dynamics. Despite its growing relevance, there remains a significant knowledge gap due to the lack of comprehensive reviews that synthesize the breadth of research and practice in this rapidly evolving field. This paper presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of Industry 5.0 and examines a corpus of 915 journal articles from the Scopus database, spanning from January 2016 to May 2024. The study aims to map the evolving landscape and thematic trajectories of Industry 5.0, highlighting its integration with advanced technologies such as AI, IoT, and human-centric systems. The findings indicate significant trends in the field, including a shift from theoretical underpinnings to practical applications and the growing emphasis on sustainability and human–machine collaboration. These thematic areas highlight the transformative potential of Industry 5.0 to enhance operational efficiency, workplace dynamics, and environmental sustainability within the industrial sector. By employing bibliometric and co-word analysis, this study addresses existing knowledge gaps and provides a nuanced understanding of the interdisciplinary interactions and future directions in Industry 5.0. The findings reveal the critical role of emerging technologies in driving the next industrial revolution, suggesting that future research should focus on integrating these technologies with socio-economic objectives to fully realize the potential of Industry 5.0. In terms of originality, this study sets a foundation for future explorations and practical implementations that can contribute to more sustainable, efficient, and human-centric industrial practices.

This study addresses a substantial knowledge gap by conducting a complete evaluation of the present landscape and future directions of Industry 5.0. It recognizes the need of synthesizing a wide body of relevant research in order to get a better understanding of the complex nature of Industry 5.0. Using a comprehensive and systematic approach, the current study performed a co-word analysis and BERTopic modeling on a carefully selected dataset of 933 journal articles, sourced from Scopus and originally published between 2016 and 2024. These techniques facilitated the identification and analysis of significant patterns and uncovered integration of technology progress with human-centered strategies in Industry 5.0 frameworks. The study reveals the significant impact of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), cyber-physical systems, and blockchain processes, on improving operational efficiency, security, and sustainability. The study highlights the significance of incorporating these technologies into industrial processes to promote settings that are creative, productive, and attentive to human requirements. The trend analysis uncovers dynamism within Industry 5.0 research, which is featured by a blend of technological innovation, sustainability, and ethical considerations. Combined, these shape a future where these components are deeply interconnected. The research has significant implications, as it provides theoretical advancements and practical recommendations that might impact future industrial policy and firm operations. This study addresses a significant need by offering valuable information on how to combine technical advancements with ethical and sustainable approaches. The goal is to improve productivity and promote the well-being of society. This work is groundbreaking inasmuch as it is one of the first extensive studies in this field. It establishes an important guide for future academic research and practical use in the changing landscape of Industry 5.0.

Industry 4.0 represents a significant shift in industrial practices, presenting unique opportunities to improve manufacturing via advanced digital technologies and sustainable processes. The rapid growth of Industry 4.0 research has uncovered a significant knowledge gap and emphasized the need for studies adopting dynamic and longitudinal perspectives to understand this field’s evolution comprehensively. This study meticulously analyzes 10,176 articles to investigate the thematic evolution and knowledge transfer mechanisms within Industry 4.0. The examination reveals four distinct sub-periods, each characterized by thematic transitions, starting with foundational themes such as simulation and cyber-physical systems, progressing to later focuses on cloud computing, convolutional neural networks, and digital twin technologies. As research progresses, themes like production facilities, monitoring, and security highlight the shift towards automation, real-time monitoring, and strong data security measures. Five primary thematic domains are identified: (1) core enablers of sustainable smart manufacturing, (2) innovation and strategic transformation, (3) smart and secure manufacturing systems, (4) advanced data-driven manufacturing technologies, and (5) AI-driven real-time monitoring and production. These domains illustrate a transition from fundamental enablers like the Internet of Things (IoT) to more intricate AI-based applications. The main path analysis indicates a shift in emphasis, moving from essential digital integration towards sustainability, digital transformation, and resource efficiency applications. The findings reveal significant implications and highlight Industry 4.0 as a driving force for sustainable and resilient industrial ecosystems.

In the quest for sustainable and circular practices within supply chains, both downstream and upstream strategies play pivotal roles. This structured literature review aims to compare the indicators of sustainability and circularity between downstream and upstream supply chain strategies, evaluating their impact through practical cases and empirical studies. The downstream strategies, which focus on waste management, customer engagement, and reverse network planning, are explored alongside upstream strategies such as sourcing environmentally friendly raw materials and integrating design for circularity principles. This paper assesses the efficacy of these strategies through a comprehensive review of scholarly articles, reports, and case studies in achieving sustainability and circularity goals. The literature review reveals that downstream strategies often face challenges related to felxibility and operational efficiency while crucial for managing end-of-life products and optimizing resource utilization. Conversely, upstream strategies, emphasizing eco-friendly sourcing and circular design principles which demonstrate significant potential for long term sustainability and circularity. Practical cases illustrate how upstream interventions can lead to reduced environmental impact, enhanced resource efficiency, and increased product longevity across various industries. Furthermore, the review highlights the interconnectedness of downstream and upstream strategies within the broader supply chain ecosystem. Synergistic approaches that integrate both strategies demonstrate the highest potential for driving transformative change towards sustainable and circular supply chains. Ultimately, this review underscores the importance of integrated approaches that leverage both downstream and upstream strategies to achieve lasting environmental and economic benefits to provides insights for policymakers and researchers seeking to prioritize interventions that maximize sustainability and circularity across the supply chain.