Lean Industry 4.0: Past, present, and future

Abstract This paper employs a real-time, open-question qualitative survey method to investigate the past, present, and future of the Lean Industry 4.0 field. A major trend is found in researchers moving from technological backgrounds such as engineering, or other STEM subjects, into more socio-technical departments and developing interests in wider areas such as people, supply chain, and sustainability. A holistic perspective of the field is presented including a call to commonise the researcher-favored term “Lean Industry 4.0.” An inclusive and detailed definition of Lean Industry 4.0 takes into account the different survey responses. A wide range of future research gaps is identified within the context of a first-of-its-type future research framework.