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The advent of Industry 4.0 (I4.0), characterised by rapid technological advancement, presents a transformative opportunity for companies to adapt and innovate in all aspects of life. However, I4.0 also ushers in challenges related to resource scarcity, waste generation, pollution and sustainability concerns, particularly in operations and supply chain management (OSCM). Despite the growing importance of I4.0 for supply chain sustainability, more research must be conducted on the processes required to foster sustainable innovation through these technologies. This study aims to bridge this gap by exploring the role of multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods in evaluating the factors that affect sustainable digitalisation within OSCM. The research analyses how MCDM methods can facilitate sustainable digitalisation in OSCM, the primary MCDM methods used for sustainable digitalisation in OSCM and the key indicators for measuring sustainable digitalisation in OSCM. Therefore, this study offers a unique contribution by exploring the uncharted territory of MCDM methods in the context of I4.0 and sustainability within OSCM, shedding light on essential indicators for this critical transformation, and equipping managers with the knowledge needed to steer their organisations towards a sustainable digital future.

Criminological research, particularly in the Anglo-Saxon academic realm, has extensively examined the sharp increase in incarceration rates since the mid-1970s. Referred to as the “sociologies of the punitive turn” (Carrier, 2010), these studies argue that this surge reflects a sudden and harsh transformation in the logic governing penal practices and discourse. Some findings even suggest that this punitive shift has a global reach, impacting regions like Latin America. This broader narrative prompts an inquiry into whether a similar punitive turn occurred in Ecuador, a South American nation. Examination of prison demographics and legal frameworks in this country reveals a notable increase in incarceration rates during the 1990s, closely linked to drug trafficking control policies led by the United States. Consequently, I suggest that while the influence of neoliberal rationality, characteristic of the punitive turn, is evident, it’s more aptly described as a manifestation of punitive imperialism. Thus, it is imperative to analyze shifts in punishment trends within the framework of imperial dynamics, particularly considering the economic dependency of peripheral countries.