The history of industrial development has been marked by a series of technological revolutions that have transformed production systems, economic activities, and social structures. The First Industrial Revolution introduced mechanized production through water and steam power, replacing many manual manufacturing processes. The Second Industrial Revolution expanded industrial capabilities through the adaptation of electricity, mass production, and assembly-line manufacturing. The Third Industrial Revolution, often referred to as the Digital Revolution, integrated electronics, computers, and automation into industrial operations. More recently, Industry 4.0 emerged as the fourth stage of industrial transformation, characterized by the convergence of digital technologies and intelligent systems within production environments.
Industry 4.0 refers to the integration of cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, big data analytics, and advanced automation into industrial processes. These technologies enable real-time monitoring, autonomous decision-making, and seamless communication among machines within industrial systems. By creating highly connected and data-driven manufacturing environments, Industry 4.0 has significantly enhanced operational efficiency, productivity, flexibility, and product customization across various industries.
The advancements associated with Industry 4.0 have accelerated innovation in both manufacturing and service industries. Digital twins, machine learning applications, and smart factories have improved resource utilization and production efficiency. Organizations have leveraged these technologies to enhance operational performance and competitiveness. Furthermore, the increasing availability of digital infrastructure has facilitated greater collaboration among stakeholders within industrial ecosystems.
Despite its numerous benefits, Industry 4.0 has also generated significant challenges for society and industry. The extensive reliance on automation and intelligent technologies has raised concerns regarding workforce adaptation, cybersecurity, data privacy, and digital governance. Additionally, critics argue that the technology-centered approach of Industry 4.0 may overlook broader human and sustainability considerations that are essential for sustainable development.
These concerns have contributed to the emergence of Industry 5.0, a new industrial paradigm that seeks to complement technological advancement with human-centered values. Industry 5.0 emphasizes collaboration between humans and intelligent machines while promoting societal well-being. Such interactions contribute to improved productivity and economic growth. Rather than focusing solely on efficiency and automation, Industry 5.0 recognizes the importance of human-centered innovation, resilience, and sustainability. This shift reflects a growing recognition that future industrial systems must balance technological progress with social and environmental objectives.
Given the increasing attention toward Industry 5.0, a growing body of research has explored its principles, applications, opportunities, and challenges across various industrial contexts. To contribute to this discussion, this article reviews and analyzes five recent research articles on Industry 5.0.These studies examine the characteristics, technological advancements, and implementation challenges associated with Industry 5.0. Collectively, the reviewed articles provide a comprehensive perspective on the current state of Industry 5.0 research and its potential role in shaping the future of industry.
Fostering well-being in Industry 5.0 through managerial behaviours and enabling technologies
The study explores specific managerial behaviors and technologies that effectively support the new objectives during the transition to Industry 5.0. A systematic literature review and thematic analysis were conducted to identify well-being-centered managerial behaviors and their enabling technologies that facilitate the transition. The study reveals that human well-being is a driver of productivity, which leads to sustainable competitiveness. The study conceptualizes technology as a consequence of human-centered design. The study also recommends examining the broader societal context down to finer details, including society, managerial behavior in companies, and current human experiences.
Identifying harmony between industrial engineering and environmental sustainability in South Africa
The study focuses on the relationship between industrial engineering (IE) and environmental sustainability (ES). Due to its sporadic literature showing a limited consensus, the study bridges the gap between IE and ES for sustainable comparative advantage (SCA). The study conducted an interview where thematic analysis was performed after the collection of data. The results show that both IE and ES complement each other in knowledge domains. This indicates synergy between IE and ES which can create transdisciplinary knowledge for SCA. Further study on the literature domains and transdisciplinary knowledge in the context of societal challenges.
Industry 5.0 technologies to enable innovation in the era of twin transition: A case study on the nexus between SMEs and regulators
The study examines the role of regulators and their expectations regarding the transition to Industry 5.0. Although previous research has recognized the influence of regulators, limited attention has been given to resource-constrained small and medium enterprises (SMEs). An exploratory mixed-method approach was applied using a qualitative case study of an SME that is currently integrating Industry 5.0-enabling technologies. The results show that regulatory factors, such as human values, social acceptance, and ethical principles, influence the organizational adoption of Industry 5.0 technologies. The findings provide preliminary insights into the role of regulators and offer practical implications for supporting the twin transition of resource-constrained organizations.
Industry 5.0 through the lens of ergonomics and sustainability: Mapping the territory
The study investigates the paradigm shift from techno-centric to human-centric systems in support of resilience and sustainability. Using a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis, the study examines the interrelationships among ergonomics, sustainability, and Industry 5.0. The findings reveal a fragmented body of literature with limited integration of ergonomics and sustainability within the Industry 5.0 framework.
Industry 5.0: revolution or repackaging? unveiling the ambiguities of the new industrial era
The study critically examines the current state of knowledge on Industry 5.0 and the ambiguities that persist in the literature from a socio-technical perspective. Using a bibliometric systematic review framework, the authors conduct a systematic, critical, and reflective analysis of the concept. The findings highlight important nuances in the key elements of Industry 5.0 and question whether it constitutes a distinct industrial revolution. The study argues that, compared with previous industrial revolutions, Industry 5.0 lacks the transformative characteristics necessary to justify such a classification. It further proposes a framework that situates the core elements of Industry 5.0 within the context of Industry 4.0 and outlines a research agenda for future investigations.
Conclusion
The reviewed studies suggest that Industry 5.0 has emerged as a prominent theme in contemporary industrial research. However, the current body of evidence remains insufficient to fully substantiate its claimed contributions and justify its recognition as a distinct industrial revolution. While researchers from various disciplines have increasingly incorporated Industry 5.0 principles into their work, the concept continues to exhibit substantial overlap with Industry 4.0. This disconnect between conceptual aspirations and empirical evidence highlights the need for further research to clarify the role, significance, and practical implications of Industry 5.0 across different disciplinary contexts.
References
Piccarozzi, M., Caboni, F., & Bruni, R. (2026). Fostering well-being in Industry 5.0 through managerial behaviours and enabling technologies. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 226, 124600. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2026.124600
Roopa, M., & Siriram, R. (2026). Identifying harmony between industrial engineering and environmental sustainability in South Africa. Sustainable Futures, 11, 101695. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2026.101695
Cerchione, R., Petruzzelli, A. M., Papa, A., & Sicardi, V. (2026). Industry 5.0 technologies to enable innovation in the era of twin transition: A case study on the nexus between SMEs and regulators. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 230, 124761. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2026.124761
Arshi, T., Rawal, P., Virmani, N., Lahri, V., & Jagtap, S. (2026). Industry 5.0 through the lens of ergonomics and sustainability: Mapping the territory. Sustainable Futures, 11, 101805. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2026.101805
Sott, M. K. (2026). Industry 5.0: revolution or repackaging? unveiling the ambiguities of the new industrial era. Sustainable Futures, 11, 101699. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2026.101699