Mapping the Terrain for the Lean Supply Chain 4.0

This study aims to carry out a systematic literature review on the integration of Lean, Industry 4.0 and the Supply Chain or the Lean Supply Chain 4.0. The research analyses the current research on the Lean Supply Chain 4.0 concept in an increasingly digitalised world. We present the benefits, motivations, critical success factors, and challenges of integrating the Lean Supply Chain with Industry 4.0 technologies within this emerging area of research. A systematic literature review is carried out on how Lean can be integrated with Supply Chain 4.0. Using the search strings of Lean Supply Chain 4.0 and Lean Supply Chain Management 4.0, a review of published literature was carried out via searches on academic search engines. This study adds to state of the art around the Lean Supply Chain 4.0 and future directions in this nascent research area. This area of research is evolving, and this study will aid organisations in understanding how Lean, Supply Chain Management and Industry 4.0 can be integrated. Organisations can use this study to understand what the Lean Supply Chain 4.0 means to industry, the benefits and motivating factors for implementation, the Critical Success Factors to implementation, the challenges and the organisational readiness factors for implementation and the role of leadership in the Lean Supply Chain 4.0 deployment. Industry 4.0 has a synergistic effect on the Lean Supply Chain and, depending on the technology and sector applied in, can complement and enhance the Lean Supply Chain.