Navigating the transition to industry 5.0: advancing sustainability, resilience, and human-centricity in Spanish supply chain management

This study examines the adoption of Industry 5.0 (I5.0) principles within Supply Chain Management (SCM), focusing on the Spanish context as an early adopter. While Industry 4.0 (I4.0) prioritised automation and efficiency, I5.0 introduces a paradigm shift by integrating sustainability, resilience, and human-centricity into supply chains. Using a qualitative methodology, this study analyses 25 interviews with industry professionals, applying a co-occurrence analysis to uncover interdependencies between organisational culture, leadership, and digital tools in the transition to I5.0. The findings reveal that resistance to change, financial constraints, and sectoral misalignment are critical barriers, particularly for small and medium enterprises. However, proactive leadership, the integration of circular economy practices, and customised digitalisation strategies emerge as key enablers. A significant contribution of this research is its identification of human–machine collaboration and digitalisation as catalysts for both sustainability and resilience in SCM, demonstrating how these elements enhance adaptability and long-term competitiveness. The study moves beyond theoretical discussions to provide practical strategies for overcoming transition barriers, emphasising the role of leadership-driven cultural transformation, workforce engagement, and sector-specific digitalisation approaches. By embedding sustainability and human-centric digital innovation into SCM, organisations can create agile, resilient, and people-oriented supply chains that align with the evolving demands of I5.0. This research contributes new empirical insights into I5.0 adoption, offering both theoretical advancements and actionable implications for practitioners.