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The impact of labor flexibility on operational efficiency in industry 5.0: a systematic literature review.

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Title: The impact of labor flexibility on operational efficiency in industry 5.0: a systematic literature review.
Authors: Ahmadi, Alireza1,2 (AUTHOR) alireza.ahmadi@alumnos.upm.es, Cantini, Alessandra1 (AUTHOR), Frías, Víctor Gómez2 (AUTHOR), Staudacher, Alberto Portioli1 (AUTHOR)
Source: International Journal of Production Research. Jun2026, Vol. 64 Issue 12, p5044-5069. 26p.
Subjects: Flextime, Process optimization, Manufacturing industries, Industry 4.0, Sustainability, Employees' workload
Abstract: This paper presents a systematic literature review (SLR) on labor flexibility (LF) strategies and their integration into workload control (WLC) within the framework of Industry 5.0 (I5.0). As industries transition toward more sustainable, human-centric, and collaborative operational models, LF serves as a catalyst for enhanced adaptability, resource optimisation, and worker-driven innovation. Through synthesising LF strategies across diverse industrial sectors, this review underscores their contributions to productivity enhancement, cost reduction, and lead time improvement, all crucial pillars of I5.0's resilience, sustainability, and human-centric ethos. Despite these advancements, significant research gaps remain regarding real-world validation, the integration of advanced and decentralised digital technologies (e.g. AI, IoT, digital twins, and blockchain), and the development of scalable, standardised frameworks for cross-sectoral application. Consequently, the authors promote for data-driven and collaborative approaches that leverage real-time analytics, predictive modelling, and human--machine synergy to enhance workforce adaptability and operational efficiency. The insights from this study lay the groundwork for future research and practical deployment, illuminating how LF can accelerate the transformation of modern industries in alignment with I5.0's core objectives of resilience, sustainability, and human-centrism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of International Journal of Production Research is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Engineering Source
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DbLabel: Engineering Source
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  Data: The impact of labor flexibility on operational efficiency in industry 5.0: a systematic literature review.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22International+Journal+of+Production+Research%22">International Journal of Production Research</searchLink>. Jun2026, Vol. 64 Issue 12, p5044-5069. 26p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Flextime%22">Flextime</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Process+optimization%22">Process optimization</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Manufacturing+industries%22">Manufacturing industries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Industry+4%2E0%22">Industry 4.0</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sustainability%22">Sustainability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Employees'+workload%22">Employees' workload</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: This paper presents a systematic literature review (SLR) on labor flexibility (LF) strategies and their integration into workload control (WLC) within the framework of Industry 5.0 (I5.0). As industries transition toward more sustainable, human-centric, and collaborative operational models, LF serves as a catalyst for enhanced adaptability, resource optimisation, and worker-driven innovation. Through synthesising LF strategies across diverse industrial sectors, this review underscores their contributions to productivity enhancement, cost reduction, and lead time improvement, all crucial pillars of I5.0's resilience, sustainability, and human-centric ethos. Despite these advancements, significant research gaps remain regarding real-world validation, the integration of advanced and decentralised digital technologies (e.g. AI, IoT, digital twins, and blockchain), and the development of scalable, standardised frameworks for cross-sectoral application. Consequently, the authors promote for data-driven and collaborative approaches that leverage real-time analytics, predictive modelling, and human--machine synergy to enhance workforce adaptability and operational efficiency. The insights from this study lay the groundwork for future research and practical deployment, illuminating how LF can accelerate the transformation of modern industries in alignment with I5.0's core objectives of resilience, sustainability, and human-centrism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of International Journal of Production Research is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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        Value: 10.1080/00207543.2025.2516770
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 26
        StartPage: 5044
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      – SubjectFull: Flextime
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Process optimization
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Manufacturing industries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Industry 4.0
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sustainability
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      – SubjectFull: Employees' workload
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            NameFull: Ahmadi, Alireza
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            NameFull: Cantini, Alessandra
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            NameFull: Frías, Víctor Gómez
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            NameFull: Staudacher, Alberto Portioli
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            – D: 15
              M: 06
              Text: Jun2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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