Empowering Sustainable Business Models: The Synergistic Role of Fourth Industrial Revolution Technologies and Circular Economy Principles in the Chemical Manufacturing Sector

This study aims to investigate how the deployment of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies contributes to the creation of sustainable business models in the Philippine chemical manufacturing industry by examining the mediating role of circular economy (CE) principles. A quantitative research design was used whereby the data from 227 respondents was analysed using SmartPLS for statistical analysis. This study provides evidence regarding the links between 4IR technologies, including Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain, and CE adoption that improves business sustainability. In particular, the analysis established that the implementation of 4IR technologies impacted positively on aspects such as resource optimisation, waste minimisation, and customer interaction, which are some of the principles of the CE. For the hospitality managers it stresses the relevance of implementing digitalisation tools in order to support the sustainability agenda, enhance organisational performance and match the customers’ needs and expectations in the currently more environmentally-conscious world economy.