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

PurposeThis paper reviews existing research to understand when, how and with what results robotic process automation (RPA) is implemented by organizations.Design/methodology/approachThe 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.FindingsThe 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 implicationsThis 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/valueThe findings contribute to DT research by conceptualizing these mechanisms through which organizations deploy automation tools—such as RPA.