Volkswagen is coming together with Amazon to develop Volkswagen cloud; hence, launching a novel era of global networked production (Volkswagen, 2020). The cloud is set to bring all the data together, those from machines, factory systems and plants. It enables improved process analysis and as a result, more productivity. Volkswagen’s goal is to integrate about 15000 companies they are in partner with in more than 30,000 geographical areas (Volkswagen, 2020). Information technology is at the heart of increased performance for processes in business and its fourth revolution is what is referred to as industry 4.0. With the centralized data analysis a holistic approach is enabled especially for supply chain management. It constitutes extensive integration in the company’s supply chain and information transparency and sharing all through the supply chain (Fatorachian &Kazemi). Additionally, individual processes of supply chain are improved including production, retailing and inventory management, production and procurement by allowing process digitization, integration, automation and other capabilities as shown in figure 2 in the Appendix. Wondering where green supply chain and industry 4.0 merge? When the smart products traceability throughout the supply chain then the utilization phase for these products permit manufacturers to consistently
is improve performance for both production and product hence; efficiency in resource utilization as well (Erol, 2016). When production systems are sustainable, they also become ecologically sustainable even if industry 4.0 has no direct connection with environmental sustainability.