Total Quality Management Philosophy Within the Fourth Industrial Revolution Towards Sustainability: A State-of-The-Art Literature Review and A Proposed Protocol for Further Research

Purpose – This article aims to discuss means and concepts of adapting Total Quality Management (TQM) within the Fourth Industrial Revolution 4.0 (I4.0) to achieve sustainability and organizational excellence that will guide industries into this new technological era. The present paper proposes a model of an ecosystem that guides the implementation of quality management through integrating I 4.0 technologies, quality, and sustainability in industrial settings.

Design/methodology/approach – This is an article that uses a systematic review of the literature to develop a bibliographic foundation and recommendations on the integration of Total Quality Management (TQM) and I4.0 technologies, as well as the measurement of sustainability. A state-of-the-art literature Review was performed to compile a list of scientifically significant papers that would serve as a source for data sets and content analysis.

Findings – The findings indicate that when quality management is adapted to I4.0 technologies, an ecosystem is created that facilitates the integration of technology, Total Quality Management, and people in an industrial setting and successfully contributes to achieving sustainability.

Research limitations/implications – This article does a systematic evaluation of the literature. Still, it avoids digging into concerns such as distinct economic sectors and

the cultures of nations having industries that can be included, which are the research’s limits.

Paper type: Literature review.

Total Quality Management, Industry 4.0, Sustainability, State-Of-The-Art.