Managing digital transformation in Industry 4.0: from technological innovation to organizational and social impact

Abstract

Digital transformation and Industry 4.0 have reshaped the way organizations design processes, make decisions, and create value across industrial, public, and social systems. This Special Issue of Transactions on Energy Systems and Engineering Applications brings together a diverse set of contributions that explore digital transformation not only as a technological phenomenon, but as a managerial, organizational, and societal challenge. The selected articles address key dimensions, including disruptive innovation assessment, business intelligence for public-sector decision-making, agile management in traditional industries, artificial intelligence in industrial quality control, operational efficiency through OEE automation, advanced sensing and data-driven modeling, digital inclusion as social innovation, and the socioeconomic impacts of ICT adoption. Together, these works offer a comprehensive view of how Industry 4.0 technologies must be strategically managed to generate sustainable value, enhance organizational performance, and promote inclusive development. This editorial contextualizes the contributions, highlights their interconnections, and outlines practical and research-oriented recommendations for advancing digital transformation management.