Exploring the evolution structure of process modelling for industry 4.0: A science mapping for proposing research paths

Abstract

Companies still concern about the impacts of the technologies of industry 4.0 in business processes. Hence, researchers are trying to develop studies to improve the understanding related to new techniques, frameworks, and concepts in order to support the implementation of industry 4.0. The aim of this paper is to perform a science mapping in the area of process modelling for industry 4.0 in order to get a holistic observation through the evolution structure of the field of study, pointing the main challenges, trends and suggestions for future works. To perform this science mapping, the SciMAT was used. Moreover, the VOSviewer was used to analyze co-authorship between authors. The scientific evolution presented 17 clusters in which the most representative themes are: ‘design’, ‘framework’ and ‘cloud computing’. Besides, the intellectual structure of motor themes is presented as well as the main challenges, trends and suggestions for future researches.