Digital Transformation and Business Model Innovation In Iberian Port Systems: A Literature Review

The Digital transformation in the context of Industry 4.0 is reconfiguring business models and service ecosystems, demanding integrated approaches combining technological innovation, sustainability, and organizational change in waterfront port systems. The aim of the study is to investigate the convergence of themes intertwined, namely industry 4.0 and sustainable digital transformation reshape business models, within the Iberian Waterfront system. It adopts a literature review approach, using the PRISMA protocol (peer‑reviewed research published in Scopus and Web of Science between 2010 and 2025), synthetising 60 studies across three thematic axes: (1) Industry 4.0 foundations and sustainable digital transformation, (2) Organizational innovation and business strategy, and (3) Business model transformation applied to waterfront regeneration. Findings show organizational innovation as a strategic condition aligning digital capabilities, ecosystem thinking, and adaptive governance for long‑term value creation in digital port‑city environments. In Iberian contexts, ports emerge as smart city nodes coordinating governance, heritage regeneration, and digital mobility with sustainability‑oriented infrastructures. The paper advances a holistic understanding for resilient, inclusive waterfront development, positioning Iberian ports within blue economy ecosystems. Limitations include English-only sources and two-database scope. Future research directions span governance coordination, digital twin applications, and comparative Iberian case studies.