## 2 Theoretical Framework
### Digital Transformation: Benefits and Barriers  
I4.0 has the potential to connect the entire chain, machines, stakeholders, and digital gadgets [50], enabling the physical world to be transported to the virtual domain [35]. I4.0 technologies present a very promising potential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in the industrial context [32]. This sustainable development may be particularly remarkable since a country's progress is closely correlated with the growth of its industries [46]. The digital paradigm has benefits, such as competitiveness [46], boosting productivity [51], and the possibility of generating additional returns [52]. One point that acts positively in attaining the last item is the reduction in operational costs, achieved by optimizing resource consumption [28]. Productivity is boosted by various factors, making it possible to highlight the best planning tools, or prediction features that may be found in various contexts, such as predicting downtime. Quality improvement and fostering innovation are two advantages of this technological trend [51]. Another relevant aspect that is improved in the 4.0 world is the response time to customer needs, which is lower than in previous industry paradigms [52]. Also in the economic domain, another interesting point is the possibility of reusing waste, fostering the circular economy (CE) concept [32], where technologies such as AI, IoT, BD, or AM help in understanding the product cycle [53]. Emerging technologies such as blockchain have the potential to improve security in data transactions, for example, in money transactions, making this process less time consuming [50]. However, in terms of economic disadvantages, it is possible to highlight implementation costs, a point that is more relevant for SMEs [33]. However, in certain visions, I4.0 is a form of survival for SMEs [51]. Regarding the last two pillars of sustainability, the environmental and social, one benefit to highlight is the decrease in energy consumption [54]. It also could facilitate  
Figure 1: Summary of connections between DT technological solutions. reduced resource consumption, e.g., in product development, since new digital tools enable prototypes in a virtual world, avoiding the waste of resources to develop these models [52]. As already mentioned, the link between I4.0 and CE is evident, particularly in improving the use of resources, with the link between partners having a positive effect in the management of resources that are not in the company [28]. I4.0 can support the adoption of CE principles since new technologies can mitigate collaborators' lack of competencies when confronted with decision-making processes [28]. Replacing equipment is another issue that can affect environmental sustainability, since resources are spent producing new technology and waste and emissions associated with transportation are generated when old technology is abandoned [55]. The exclusive focus on technological advances may result in an increase in gas emissions or resource consumption [32]. In social terms, I4.0 could boost the automation of processes, improving worker safety by, for example, allowing high-risk jobs to be carried out by robots [28]. Facilities such as remote work or systems to help collaborators may also be stated in the 4.0 world. However, the social pillar faces adverse effects, leading to the disappearance of some professions and the creation of new ones, which can culminate in unemployment; there may be a need for additional training to allow employees to continue to operate in the digital paradigm [32]. The concept of I4.0 assumes benefits such as flexibility and data-driven decisions [56] or transparency [57], which could improve the decision-making processes by offering the opportunity to process data for which humans do not have the capacity [58]. In the domain of supply chains, benefits such as the reduction in the bullwhip effect, better team coordination, optimization of routes [52], or reduction in supply risk [57] can be pointed out.