A systematic literature review of barriers and success factors for implementing Quality 4.0

Abstract

The surge in research publications surrounding Quality 4.0 underscores the field’s growing significance. However, while the digitalization of quality management has been widely discussed, there remains a notable scarcity of in-depth research regarding the specific barriers and success factors for implementation. The existing investigations remain fragmented, indicating the need for more consolidated research. Thus, this study aims to systemize the main barriers and the success factors for effective implementation of Quality 4.0. A systematic literature review was conducted. A total of 18 empirical research papers published from 2017 to 2025 from Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases were reviewed using specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study provides a structured synthesis of the barriers and success factors identified in the implementation of Quality 4.0. The findings contribute to future research on factors influencing Quality 4.0 adoption and offer insights for stakeholders. Specifically, the results can support decision-makers in assessing implementation readiness by identifying potential barriers and evaluating whether critical success factors are in place.