In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the need to balance scientific and technological progress with sustainable development initiatives. However, historically these two processes have been seen as parallel and even conflicting, hindering each other's progress. The industrial revolutions of the past led to increased production and economic growth, but also brought about social and environmental costs. The social costs included job losses due to automation and the need for adaptation to complex production processes, while the environmental costs included increased energy consumption and industrial waste. As a result, there was a growing demand for sustainable development initiatives to address these issues. The adoption of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations in 2015 marked a global milestone in this regard. However, as we enter the "Decade of Action" in 2020, it has become clear that the contradiction between technological and sustainable development has reached a critical level, making further parallel implementation impossible.
The Need for Integration
The dilemma of choosing between industrial growth driven by technology or sustainable development is a false choice. Both processes are crucial for the socio-economic development of modern economies. Ignoring sustainable development in the context of industry 4.0 can lead to climate and environmental crises, impacting agriculture, healthcare, and overall quality of life. Similarly, slowing down scientific and technological progress for the sake of sustainability can disrupt the natural course of human civilization, exacerbate product shortages, and increase social inequality. Therefore, the optimal solution lies in finding a way to integrate these two processes.
The Integration of SDGs into Industry 4.0
The integration of SDGs into the quality management system of enterprises in industry 4.0 is a crucial step towards resolving the contradiction between technology and sustainable development. The seventeen SDGs cover social, environmental, economic, and technological aspects, making them relevant to quality management in industry 4.0. While previous studies have separately examined the implementation of SDGs and the issues of quality management in industry 4.0, there is a gap in the literature regarding the integration of SDGs into the quality management system.
Research Questions and Hypotheses
To address this gap, this article aims to determine the current level, prospects, and advantages of integrating SDGs into the quality management system of industry 4.0 during the "Decade of Action." The research tasks include global monitoring of integration practices, determining the prospects for sustainable development, and proposing a vision for integration. Four research questions are formulated, along with corresponding hypotheses
1. To what extent are the SDGs integrated into the quality management system of enterprises in industry 4.0? Hypothesis H1: The integration of SDGs into quality management in industry 4.0 is poor.
2. Which category of countries demonstrates a higher degree of integration of the SDGs into the quality management system of enterprises in industry 4.0? Hypothesis H2: Developing countries show a higher degree of integration.
3. How has COVID-19 affected the degree of integration of the SDGs into the management system of quality 4.0? Hypothesis H3: The degree of integration has decreased due to the pandemic.
4. What is the significance of integration into the quality management system of enterprises in industry 4.0 for the implementation of the SDGs in the "Decade of action"? Hypothesis H4: Integration is important for achieving the SDGs in the "Decade of Action."
Methodology and Findings
The study includes a comprehensive analysis of international statistics and economic modeling based on a sample of 192 countries. The results show that the integration of SDGs into the quality management system of industry 4.0 is moderate, with developing countries demonstrating a higher degree of integration. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a mixed impact, with some countries experiencing an increase in integration while others face financial challenges. The forecasts suggest that integration into quality management can significantly contribute to the implementation of the SDGs, surpassing isolated growth scenarios.
Conclusion
The study highlights the need for greater integration of SDGs into the quality management system of industry 4.0. The current level of integration is insufficient to achieve the SDGs in the "Decade of Action." The findings emphasize the importance of bridging the gap between technological and sustainable development through the sustainable growth of industry 4.0. The proposed vision for integration provides a roadmap for enterprises to align their quality management practices with the SDGs. By embracing this integration, we can move towards a more sustainable and prosperous future.
Reference
Bogoviz A.V.; Parakhina V.N.; Morozova I.A.; Patsyuk E.V. (2023). INTEGRATION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS INTO THE QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF ENTERPRISES IN INDUSTRY 4.0. Proceedings on Engineering Sciences, 5(S2), 191-206, DOI: 10.24874/PES.SI.02.002.