The Human Bridge: How the Human Factor Mediates the Impact of Industry 4.0 Technologies on Supply Chain Resilience in the Industry 5.0 Era

Industry 4.0 technologies (such as Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, and Big Data) are redefining supply chain resilience paradigms. However, the emergence of Industry 5.0 introduces a fundamental shift by positioning the Human Factor as a central element in this technological equation. Using data from 125 managers in manufacturing and service industries, this study investigates this transition through a dual methodological approach: Canonical Correlation Analysis to identify key technological patterns and mediation analysis to elucidate the role of Human Factor. Confirmatory factor analysis was also applied to validate the measurement model, and all analyses were complemented with bootstrapping procedures to ensure methodological robustness and reliability. The Canonical Correlation Analysis results reveal strategic associations between specific Industry 4.0 technologies and critical supply chain resilience dimensions, highlighting optimal configurations for diverse operational contexts. The mediation analysis demonstrates that the Human Factor not only complements but also significantly channels the impact of technologies on resilience, acting as a bridge between technical capabilities and operational outcomes. Specifically, we show how human adaptability, problem-solving, and digital competencies condition the effectiveness of Industry 4.0 technologies, explaining why organizations that invest in both technological and human resources achieve higher resilience. These findings provide empirical support for the Industry 5.0 paradigm by demonstrating the mechanisms through which the Human Factor enhances technological value creation, and they offer actionable insights for organizations (particularly Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) seeking to balance technological and human capital to optimize resilience in increasingly complex supply chains.