Looking back, moving forward: mapping Industry 4.0’s trajectory in developing and emerging countries through systematic literature network analysis

Abstract

Abstract Developing and emerging economies (DECs) face persistent challenges, including chronic underinvestment in R&D, outdated infrastructure, and acute skills shortages, that constrain effective Industry 4.0 adoption. Existing reviews often offer static, region- or sector-specific snapshots and do not trace how Industry 4.0 knowledge has evolved in DECs or how these technologies address local business challenges. To address this gap, a Systematic Literature Network Analysis was undertaken, examining 103 peer-reviewed articles published between 2011 and 2023. This method integrates citation-network, main-path analyses and keyword co-occurrence mapping. Analyses were performed using CiteSpace, Biblioshiny, VOSviewer, and Pajek to map intellectual trajectories and thematic clusters. Key directions identified include Industry 4.0’s potential to strengthen innovation and competitiveness, the promise of smart retrofitting as a cost-effective pathway, and the need for a socio-technical systems perspective that aligns technological investments with organisational and societal requirements. The results underscore the imperative for coordinated university-industry-government action and context-sensitive national policies to promote inclusive, scalable Industry 4.0 adoption in DECs.