A Review of the Literature about Sustainability in the Work of the Future: An Overview of Industry 4.0 and Human Resources

Abstract

Background: Industry 4.0 presents a volatile environment and is attentive to the need for changes in employees’ behavior. This paper aimed to investigate academic trends relating to the themes of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and human resources (HR). Methods: a total of 354 articles on the thematic area published in the Scopus database between 2014 and 2023 were analyzed. Results: Industry 4.0 is related to various themes connected to the productive environment, with a focus on technology. Over time, topics related to human resources management have become integrated into research on Industry 4.0. In this scenario, research demonstrates the importance of studies on workers’ education and training. The findings presented in this paper are relevant for researchers, academics, and managers, serving as a guide for future research on I4.0. The main contribution is facilitating the analysis of the role of workers in the Industry 4.0 scenario for different professionals, such as researchers, teachers, and HR managers. Conclusions: the present study points out new possibilities for research on Industry 4.0 and HR. These possibilities should guide researchers and professionals in their implementation.