Sustainability 4.0 in Manufacturing Systems: Conceptual Foundations, Research Trends, and Future Directions

ABSTRACT Despite growing interest in Sustainability, the role of Industry 4.0 technologies in driving sustainable innovation in manufacturing remains underexplored. This study systematically analyses the Sustainability 4.0 literature in the manufacturing sector using the Systematic Literature Network Analysis (SLNA) approach. Using bibliometric techniques, including author keywords and co‐occurrence analysis in RStudio and VOSviewer, the study identifies key research trends and outlines four major thematic clusters. Building on these insights, the study develops an integrated conceptual framework that links Industry 4.0 with sustainability goals to improve organisational performance. The framework synthesises existing knowledge, clarifies the links between key concepts, and provides a clear structure for understanding Sustainability 4.0 in manufacturing contexts. This study contributes to the literature by advancing the theoretical foundations of Sustainability 4.0 and identifying significant gaps in current research. It also proposes seven future research directions to guide upcoming research and comprehensively discusses four key application areas of Sustainability 4.0. From a practical perspective, the findings offer useful, actionable insights for organisations seeking to implement Sustainability 4.0 initiatives effectively.