The interplay between Industry 4.0 and their impact on freight transportation sustainability

Purpose This study aims to critically examine the impact of Industry 4.0 technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics (BDA) and cloud computing technologies (CCT), on enhancing sustainability and driving innovation in freight transportation. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory strategy was employed, utilizing a systematic literature review of academic and industrial articles and network theory to examine potential sustainability impacts. Additionally, a case study of Logistics Company A was conducted to complement the literature review and verify the developed framework. This case study explores the impact of implementing IoT, BDA and CCT in real-world freight transportation operations, highlighting their practical implications, benefits and innovative applications. Findings The findings reveal that advanced technological innovations, by creating a network of connected devices, systems and processes, enable advanced process integration, transparency and real-time information processing. These capabilities significantly impact freight transportation by enabling accurate shipment monitoring, improved security, better resource management, smart transportation planning and proactive maintenance. Consequently, these innovations facilitate simultaneous economic, social and environmental sustainability improvements and drive innovation within the logistics sector by developing new service offerings such as real-time tracking, predictive maintenance and smart transportation planning. Research limitations/implications This study enhances the understanding of the impact of Industry 4.0 technologies on sustainability and innovation in freight transportation. However, it is limited by its empirical analysis scope, confined to a single case study. Future research should conduct more extensive empirical investigations across diverse contexts and regions to validate the proposed framework and its impact. Additionally, exploring the role of various supply chain stakeholders in adopting these technologies can provide deeper insights into optimizing supply chain sustainability and innovation. Practical implications An operational framework is developed, offering insights into how digital solutions can achieve the triple bottom line in freight transportation and drive innovation. This framework provides practical guidance for practitioners aiming to leverage Industry 4.0 technologies for sustainability and innovation in logistics operations. The case study of Logistics Company A illustrates the impact, practical benefits, innovative applications and challenges of implementing these technologies, serving as a valuable reference for other organizations in the logistics sector. Originality/value This study’s novelty lies in its systematic investigation of how Industry 4.0 technologies can be seamlessly integrated into supply chain and logistics processes to impact sustainable improvements and foster innovation. It addresses a significant gap in the literature by focusing on freight transportation within the broader context of supply chain sustainability and technological innovation.