Industry 4.0 and sustainable development: from sustainable business models to digital sustainability

Industry 4.0, based on manufacturing systems using information technologies, includes a combination of smart factories, products, and the Internet of Things. It is aimed at providing real-time information on production, processes, equipment, products, flows, and integrating this information to make effective decisions in terms of economic, environmental and social results. Originally created to solve the problems of unsustainable production, Industry 4.0 today is changing all spheres of modern society, being simultaneously a threat and an opportunity for sustainable development. In this work, a bibliographic analysis of the Scopus database publications devoted to Industry 4.0 has been conducted, technical and economic prerequisites for its emergence, its concepts and essential content have been clarified. The characteristics of Industry 4.0 and the technologies that shape it, their impact on society and the economy have been systematized. The main principles and trends of Industry 4.0 have been highlighted, the features, components and principles of sustainable production and sustainable business models in Industry 4.0 at the micro-, meso- and macroeconomic levels have been systematized and refined. The transformation of the concept of sustainable development and the role of Industry 4.0 in achieving sustainable development goals, including the prerequisites for its emergence, new opportunities and threats associated with the implementation of digital business models have been investigated. The influence of business models and practices of Industry 4.0 on achieving the goals of social, economic and environmental components of sustainable development has been analyzed. The IT problems of enterprises included in Industry 4.0 have been systematized, the need to include the fourth (digital) component of sustainable development and research on digital sustainability for ensuring sustainable development of economic entities in terms of digital economy has been substantiated.