Industry 5.0 Readiness in the Sri Lankan Apparel Industry: A Systematic Literature Review

The Sri Lankan apparel industry is a key player in the global market and is shifting from Industry 4.0 to the transformative paradigm of Industrial Revolution 5.0 (I5.0). Industry 4.0 is more focused on technology-driven, and Industry 5.0 emphasizes human-centric approaches, sustainable practices, and resilience. These advancements integrate technologies including robots, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and innovative thinking of humans and expertise, enabling hyper-customization and enhanced interaction between humans and machines. Advancements in the apparel industry can improve the quality standards of products, optimize resource allocation, and create ethical production practices that prioritize worker well-being and sustainability. This systematic literature review (SLR) focuses on critical readiness factors for moving from Industry 4.0 to 5.0, divided into four domains such as technological, sustainable, human-centric and resilience readiness and a roadmap with actionable recommendations for the transition. The findings reveal progress in automation and sustainability efforts within the Sri Lankan apparel industry, but significant gaps remain, particularly in achieving seamless interaction between people and machines and visibility of the supply chain. Limited technological adoption and reliance on traditional methods further challenge the industry’s ability to fully embrace Industry 5.0. By exploring the factors and gaps, this review offers insights into the readiness required for this shift, acknowledges existing research limitations, and outlines future directions to support the Sri Lankan apparel industry in adopting sustainable competitiveness in I5.0.