A framework for sustainable circular energy supply chain management with an Industry 4.0 approach: Application of the Fuzzy-ISM method in Iran's oil and petrochemical industries

Ehsani, Ali; Zahedi, Amir Ehsan

doi:10.22034/farayandno.2026.2089502.2047

A framework for sustainable circular energy supply chain management with an Industry 4.0 approach: Application of the Fuzzy-ISM method in Iran's oil and petrochemical industries

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original research

Authors

ali ehsani ¹

amir ehsan zahedi ²

¹ Management department. Faculty of Administrative Sciences and Economics, Arak University, Arak. Iran

² Management department. Administration sciences and economy faculty. Arak university. Arak. iran

10.22034/farayandno.2026.2089502.2047

Abstract

With the expansion of sustainability requirements, the transition to a circular economy in the energy industry become a strategic necessity. The aim of the research is to provide a framework for explaining the relationships between factors affecting the sustainable circular energy supply chain based on Industry 4.0. The research is qualitative-quantitative. The population is managers of the Iranian oil and petrochemical industry, 22 people interviewed using snowball sampling. Fuzzy Interpretive Structural Modeling used to analyze the relationships. Industry 4.0 technologies and supply chain digitalization play the main driving role of the system, data management and smart decision-making play an intermediary role. Governance and policy-making act as the institutional infrastructure, and operational performance and supply chain resilience as the final output of the system. Oil and petrochemical industry managers make targeted investments in digital energy technologies, integrate ESG requirements into energy supply chain strategy, and develop digital human resources skills.

Keywords

Circular economy

Industry 4.0

Energy supply chain

Sustainability

Oil and petrochemical industry

Subjects