Enabling Sustainable Manufacturing in the Fashion Retail Industry Through the Demployment of Industry 4.0 Concept

This paper identifies that Industry 4.0 (I4.0) paradigm does result in increased cyber-security risks for companies and industries that employ it. However, cyber-threats existed prior to that of I4.0 and although there is greater vulnerability under this paradigm there is also greater ability to protect against such attacks as technology evolves. For companies to maintain as high a possible level of cyber-security they must adapt their systems with the times staying as up to date as possible. In conclusion, after conducting a literature review to understand every aspect of the problem and solution and assessing their compatibility through the completion of the critical analysis; I4.0 is a suitable solution to the sustainability problems of manufacturing in the fashion retail industry. There are gaps in the research identified and resulting limitations to the ability of I4.0 to be the solution to all the sustainability problems identified. However, with technological and digital development at the centre of this paradigm and the resulting growth in abilities and knowledge offers the ability for further solution to be identified and these issues overcome.