Digital transformation in Sales and Operations Planning: an Industry 4.0 technology perspective.

Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) is a critical process aimed at aligning business strategies with operational execution, yet traditional S&OP practices often fall short in today's increasingly volatile markets. This research investigates the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Big Data Analytics, Blockchain, Cloud Computing, Internet of Things, and Digital Twins, into S&OP, an evolution referred to as S&OP 4.0. Through a combination approach of scoping review and expert panel, this research identifies key technologies and analyzes their functionalities and contributions across the main S&OP phases: Demand Planning, Supply Planning, Pre-Meeting, and Executive Meeting. Research findings reveal that Industry 4.0 technologies significantly enhance forecast accuracy, supply chain transparency, scenario analysis, and strategic decision-making support. Despite these advancements, several technologies remain underexplored, and barriers to adoption persist. This paper proposes a structured framework for implementing S&OP 4.0 and provides actionable insights for both academics and practitioners aiming to improve decision-making agility, operational efficiency, and supply chain resilience through digital transformation. Future research should focus on empirical validation and further investigation into under-investigated technologies.