Digital Transformation and Sustainability in Post-Pandemic Supply Chains: A Global Bibliometric Analysis of Technological Evolution and Research Patterns (2020–2024)

Abstract

This systematic review examines digital transformation in post-pandemic supply chains through a bibliometric analysis of literature from 2020 to 2024. Using the PRISMA protocol, we analyzed publications from Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect databases. Results show that sustainability has become the dominant keyword in digital transformation research, with China, the United States, and India forming the main research triangle. The most influential technologies driving transformation are big data, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and Internet of Things (IoT). Co-citation network analysis revealed three major research clusters: the green cluster led by Gunasekaran and Angappa focusing on supply chain management; the red cluster led by Rahman and Muhammad Saddiq addressing implementation aspects; and the blue cluster led by Calatayud and Rodriguez examining innovation and adaptation. Organizations are shifting from purely operational approaches to more holistic transformations that integrate strategic and organizational dimensions. We identified important research gaps in developing regions and in the integration of emerging technologies with existing systems. This review enhances the understanding of post-pandemic supply chain digitization while providing a framework for future research in this rapidly evolving field.