Abstract:
Industry is characterized by multilateral supply-production ties with other branches of the economy. As a result of the industry economic activity it affects spatial management and the social and environmental dimensions of sustainability. Therefore, it can be observed multilateral couplings with economic and social development as a result of its strong bonds with the development of science. The history of the Industry is experiencing significant changes on its drivers – from the first mechanization, after electrification with subsequently digitization, to systems integration and at last the creation of business networks under Industry 4.0. Nowadays Industry integrates people and digitally controlled machines using Internet and information technologies. The Industry development can improve human conditions, although it can has been degrading natural environment. Resulting on effects on the environment such as more frequent heat waves; shifting of climatic zones; changes in precipitation; melting of glaciers; disappearing of rivers, conversion of agricultural areas into steppes; changes in ocean currents; increase in the power of hurricanes and extinction of species. Industry activity is also impacting the social dimension with changes in the employment structure of the labour market; increasement of unemployment; digital exclusion; work monotony; and therefore marginalization of the human role. Hence, it is necessary to strive for sustainable development, where economic development is met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their environmental and social needs. Industry and sustainability is not mutually exclusive. In many cases, actions for sustainable development in business can bring new business opportunities and provide economic development without degrading the environmental and social dimensions. This study has the objective to present examples of effective implementation of sustainable development practices in the supply chain. To achieve the objective of this study we used a literature review of publications using the Web of Science and Scopus databases. The retrieved publications, provided the base for a bibliometric analysis and discussion of the practices. Considering that much of the unsustainable activity in the world can be traced to industrial activity, the necessity of sustainable development calls for changes in the industry development models. As a result of the review in the studied area, it was possible to identify a number of examples of effective application of sustainable development practices in operations and supply chains. Over the centuries, significant technology changes have been observed in the industry. The technology changes are considered indispensable to meet the humanity needs. Although there are positive impacts resulting in higher standards of living, although they can be also related to many negative impacts. The observed adverse impacts in the environment and social dimensions can take us to the conclusion that industry’s development cannot be unconditional and must take into account its social environmental impacts.
