Optimization and Operations Research for Smart Manufacturing Systems in Industry 4.0

Dear Colleagues,

The rapid evolution of Industry 4.0 has fundamentally transformed manufacturing systems through the integration of cyber–physical systems, industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), digital twins, artificial intelligence, and advanced automation technologies. In this context, Optimization and Operations Research (OR) play a pivotal role in enabling intelligent, adaptive, and data-driven decision-making across smart manufacturing environments.

This Special Issue aims to explore cutting-edge optimization models, analytical frameworks, and OR methodologies that enhance efficiency, resilience, sustainability, and competitiveness in smart manufacturing systems. We particularly welcome contributions that integrate mathematical programming, multi-objective optimization, stochastic and robust modeling, simulation optimization, and hybrid AI–OR approaches to address complex real-world industrial challenges.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Smart production planning and scheduling;
• Digital twin-based optimization;
• Energy-efficient and sustainable manufacturing systems;
• Real-time adaptive control and decision support;
• Predictive maintenance optimization;
• Human–robot collaboration modeling;
• Resilient and risk-aware production systems;
• Data-driven and machine learning-enhanced optimization;
• Multi-objective and multi-criteria decision frameworks in manufacturing;
• Metaheuristic and hybrid optimization algorithms for Industry 4.0 applications.

We encourage submissions that provide rigorous mathematical modeling, validated computational experiments, and practical industrial applications. Both theoretical advancements and empirical studies that demonstrate measurable performance improvements in smart manufacturing contexts are highly welcomed.

By bridging advanced Operations Research techniques with emerging Industry 4.0 technologies, this Special Issue seeks to advance intelligent manufacturing systems capable of addressing the increasing complexity and uncertainty of modern industrial environments.

We look forward to your valuable contributions.

Dr. Nguyen Van Nguyen
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• optimization
• operations research
• smart manufacturing
• Industry 4.0
• industrial systems engineering
• mathematical programming
• mixed integer linear programming (MILP)
• nonlinear programming
• multi-objective optimization
• production planning
• production scheduling
• advanced scheduling algorithms
• digital twin
• Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
• predictive maintenance
• simulation optimization
• robust optimization
• stochastic programming
• metaheuristic algorithms
• genetic algorithms (GAs)
• AI-driven optimization
• data-driven decision making
• intelligent production systems
• energy-efficient manufacturing
• sustainable manufacturing
• real-time optimization
• resilient manufacturing systems
• smart factory systems