Extended Abstract
Objective: Industry 5.0 is increasingly being introduced as a new industrial paradigm that combines human-centeredness, sustainability, and resilience. This paper identifies the main drivers of this transition and discusses its policy implications for Iran.
Method: This study is based on a review of 1,421 Scopus-indexed documents published between 2019 and 2025. After screening and eligibility assessment, 47 articles were selected for the final analysis and examined through qualitative content analysis. Selected experiences from five countries in different regions were also considered to enrich the interpretation.
Results: The findings indicate that the future of Industry 5.0 is shaped by interconnected drivers, including digital governance, AI regulation, quantum technologies, human capital development, human-machine collaboration, supply chain resilience, business model transformation, circular economy, sustainable manufacturing, and smart technologies. It can be argued that Industry 5.0 should not be seen as a purely technological agenda, as its progress depends on the interaction between governance, institutional capacity, human resources, and sustainability-oriented policy. In addition, countries seeking to benefit from Industry 5.0 will need stronger regulatory frameworks, better prepared workforces, and more integrated industrial policies.
Conclusion: Industry 5.0 represents a broader development path that requires coordination between technology, governance, and social capacity. For Iran, progress towards this paradigm depends on strengthening data governance and artificial intelligence, promoting the development and adoption of enabling technologies, redesigning skills development systems, and aligning industrial policies with sustainability and resilience goals.