Research Areas, Gaps and Future Research Directions of Operational Excellence: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

The current study attempts to examine what exists in the operational excellence body of literature, explore the research gaps, and point out future research directions in the operational excellence context, by conducting a Systematic Literature Review (SLR). A carefully selected sample of 43 papers published within the 2009-2021-time period was analysed to achieve these research objectives. The results of the study were presented under nine different themes; distribution of papers across years, geographical area, industrial sectors, publication venue, research methods, research area, theory application, knowledge contribution, gaps and future research directions. Very little attention on the effect of capabilities (operational and dynamic capabilities) on operational excellence, less application of theoretical base for explaining operational excellence, not researched in some industrial sectors, countries and continents, a very least attention on psychometric scale development, and mixed-method research approach were identified as the existing research gaps in the operational excellence context. The present SLR is beneficial for academics, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers since it explains the current knowledge and gaps in an operational excellent research context.