Examining the interplay of industry 4.0, lean, agile, and circular manufacturing practices on sustainability performance

This study presents a novel integrative framework to examine how Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies interact with lean manufacturing (LM), agile manufacturing (AM), and circular manufacturing (CM) to enhance sustainability performance (SP) in manufacturing firms. Unlike previous research that often investigates these constructs separately, this study uniquely explores their combined and mediating roles within a unified model. Based on data collected from 170 respondents in Saudi Arabia, the study employs partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to assess both direct and indirect relationships. The results reveal that I4.0 significantly facilitates the adoption of LM, AM, and CM practices, all of which contribute positively to SP. Furthermore, LM plays a foundational role by positively influencing both AM and CM, and the three paradigms mediate the relationship between I4.0 and SP. By situating the research within the context of Saudi Arabia’s industrial transformation, this study advances theoretical understanding of how digital and operational paradigms interact to promote sustainability. It also offers practical recommendations for aligning digital transformation initiatives with sustainable manufacturing strategies in emerging economies.