Supply chain management in the Industry 5.0 era: strategic implications

Abstract

Purpose Industry 5.0 represents an evolution from Industry 4.0, yet ambiguities remain regarding the strategic frameworks necessary for effective supply chain management during this transition. This paper addresses a critical research gap by conducting a systematic review of the current literature to clarify these strategic relationships. Design/methodology/approach Employing a systematic analysis, we reviewed articles from diverse academic databases. This rigorous process utilised clearly defined inclusion criteria and thematic coding to examine strategic management approaches within the supply chain context of Industry 5.0 strategies. The analysis specifically focuses on strategies centred on human centricity, resilience and sustainability. Findings Our review reveals that previous studies have largely isolated elements of strategic management, leaving a critical gap in understanding the integrated approach required for Supply Chain 5.0. The analysis identifies five key strategies – learning, organisational human capability, leapfrogging, disruption mitigation and sustainable operations – that collectively form the basis for a robust transition framework. Research limitations/implications The findings are theoretically anchored in institutional theory, suggesting that a learning strategy must involve the deliberate selection of suppliers committed to sustainability. This insight invites further empirical investigation to validate the proposed framework across different industries. Practical implications Two primary industrial applications emerge from our analysis: one in modernising healthcare systems and another in guiding the transition from Agriculture 4.0 to Agriculture 5.0. These applications demonstrate the practical relevance of the identified strategic components. Originality/value By linking previously isolated strategic concepts, this review offers a novel perspective on the interplay between human centricity, resilience and sustainability in supply chain management. The integrated framework presented not only bridges existing gaps in the literature but also sets the stage for future research aimed at achieving international standards of excellence in Industry 5.0.