Mechanisms for robotic process automation implementation in organizations: a systematic literature review

Abstract

Purpose

This paper reviews existing research to understand when, how and with what results robotic process automation (RPA) is implemented by organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have identified 84 sources across eight databases and have analyzed them through the lens of a context–intervention–mechanism–outcomes framework (CIMO). The CIMO analysis maps the contextual drivers, intervention approaches and value related outcomes associated with RPA implementation.

Findings

The result of the analysis is the identification of four mechanisms explaining the approach organizations take to implement RPA: digitizing business processes, performing knowledge work together with humans, replacing outsourcing with RPA robots and developing a new business model. Therefore, in this paper, in order to reduce RPA literature fragmentation, the authors take into account the digital transformation (DT) perspective, by considering RPA as one example of digital technology.

Practical implications

This study sensitize organizational adopters to the different mechanisms they can deploy to conduct RPA implementations to achieve different desired outcomes in response to different drivers. Moreover, having a clear picture of the key enablers and associated barriers to the realization of these alternative paths serve as a useful map to guide the implementation process.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to DT research by conceptualizing these mechanisms through which organizations deploy automation tools—such as RPA.

Citation

Crisan, E.L., Chis, D.M., Bodea, E.E. and Buchmann, R. (2023), "Mechanisms for robotic process automation implementation in organizations: a systematic literature review", Journal of Advances in Management Research, Vol. 20 No. 5, pp. 920-946. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAMR-04-2023-0100