Quality 5.0: a state-of-the-art literature review

Quality 5.0 is an inevitable consequence of the progression of the fifth industrial revolution that is redefining the manufacturing sector through the adoption of a sustainable approach and the cultivation of a human-centric attitude. However, this new era of social-oriented quality is still surrounded by a limited understanding and is yet to be defined precisely. This paper aims to contribute to the scientific comprehension and definition of Quality 5.0, by exploring its main topics, principles, the benefits of its implementation, and any potential challenges that may arise. A state-of-the-art literature review was conducted to collect and study previous papers regarding this novel topic. Using the Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases, articles were obtained based on the following string of keywords present in the title: “quality 4.0” OR "quality 5.0” OR “social-oriented quality” OR “social quality” considering articles published from 2018 to 2024. The results are focused on the main pillars of Quality 5.0, its potential benefits, the importance of an organisational quality culture, and finally the obstacles that may be encountered during the implementation process. The study is limited by the databases referenced and by the consideration of articles written only in English. This paper's findings can be helpful to practitioners, managers, and other stakeholders as a guide for comprehending the concept of Quality 5.0 and the advantages of incorporating this approach into strategic goals.