Mathematics education

Engineering

Pure mathematics

Field (mathematics)

Inclusion (mineral)

Work in process

Pedagogy

Computer science

Management science

Systematic review

Psychology

Critical systems thinking

Mathematics

Political science

Value (mathematics)

Macro

Critical thinking

Sociology

Operations management

Artificial intelligence

MEDLINE

Systematic process

Programming language

Knowledge management

Scopus

Machine learning

Systems thinking

Engineering ethics

Social science

Journal of Open Innovation Technology Market and Complexity

Today&rsquo;s complex, dynamic, interconnected world presents the field of education (&ldquo;Education 4.0&rdquo;) with significant challenges in developing competencies for reasoning for complexity. This article analyzes complex thinking as a macro-competency with sub-competencies of critical, systemic, scientific, and innovative thinking in educational environments. We worked with the systematic literature review method, selecting 35 articles in the Scopus and Web of Science databases using keywords words of interest and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Seven research questions guided the data analysis. The results highlighted that: (a) there are common characteristics of studies linking complex thinking, critical thinking, and creative thinking; (b) there is predominance of the qualitative method in the studies; (c) the critical thinking competency has been the most addressed in the research; (d) the predominant components of Education 4.0 are teaching methods and techniques; and (e) the three challenges that stand out for educational research are project feasibility, research opportunities, and required skills. This article is intended to be of value to academic and social communities and decision-makers interested in developing reasoning for complexity within the framework of Education 4.0.

Complex Thinking in the Framework of Education 4.0 and Open Innovation—A Systematic Literature Review