Reconfiguring Korea’s dual transition: Empirical insights on the role of industry 4.0 technologies

IF 12.5 1区社会学 Q1 SOCIAL ISSUES

Technology in Society Pub Date : 2025-09-22 DOI:10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103084

Yugang He

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

This study empirically investigates the impact of Industry 4.0 technologies on economic and environmental sustainability in South Korea. Utilizing the autoregressive distributed lag bounds-testing approach alongside Kernel-based regularized least squares-based machine learning techniques, this analysis captures both short- and long-run dynamics between a composite Industry 4.0 index and dual sustainability outcomes—adjusted net saving and per capita CO₂ emissions. The findings reveal that Industry 4.0 technologies significantly enhance long-term economic resilience while simultaneously reducing environmental degradation. Notably, environmental benefits emerge more immediately, whereas economic gains accrue gradually, reflecting asymmetric transition dynamics. These results underscore that Industry 4.0 technologies serve as structural enablers of sustainability, contingent on coordinated policies such as environmental taxation, green R&D, and trade alignment. The Korean case offers compelling evidence that comprehensive digital strategies can deliver both economic and ecological dividends, providing actionable insights for other late-industrializing economies seeking to harmonize innovation with sustainable development trajectories.

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重新配置韩国的双重转型：工业4.0技术作用的实证见解

本研究实证调查了工业4.0技术对韩国经济和环境可持续性的影响。利用自回归分布滞后边界测试方法和基于核的正则化最小二乘机器学习技术，该分析捕获了复合工业4.0指数与双重可持续性结果（调整净储蓄和人均二氧化碳排放量）之间的短期和长期动态。研究结果表明，工业4.0技术显著增强了长期经济弹性，同时减少了环境退化。值得注意的是，环境效益更立即出现，而经济收益则逐渐产生，反映了不对称的转型动态。这些结果强调，工业4.0技术是可持续发展的结构性推动者，取决于环境税收、绿色研发和贸易协调等政策的协调。韩国的案例提供了令人信服的证据，证明全面的数字战略可以带来经济和生态红利，为其他寻求协调创新与可持续发展轨迹的工业化后期经济体提供了可行的见解。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Technology in Society Multiple-

CiteScore

17.90

自引率

14.10%

发文量

316

审稿时长

60 days

期刊介绍： Technology in Society is a global journal dedicated to fostering discourse at the crossroads of technological change and the social, economic, business, and philosophical transformation of our world. The journal aims to provide scholarly contributions that empower decision-makers to thoughtfully and intentionally navigate the decisions shaping this dynamic landscape. A common thread across these fields is the role of technology in society, influencing economic, political, and cultural dynamics. Scholarly work in Technology in Society delves into the social forces shaping technological decisions and the societal choices regarding technology use. This encompasses scholarly and theoretical approaches (history and philosophy of science and technology, technology forecasting, economic growth, and policy, ethics), applied approaches (business innovation, technology management, legal and engineering), and developmental perspectives (technology transfer, technology assessment, and economic development). Detailed information about the journal's aims and scope on specific topics can be found in Technology in Society Briefings, accessible via our Special Issues and Article Collections.