Robotic Process Automation Technology applied to the Management of SMEs in the Manufacturing and Service Sector: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Objective: To carry out a systematic review of the literature in relation to robotic process automation technology (RPA), applied to the organizational management of Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in the manufacturing and services sector, to analyze the integration of complementary technologies aligned with administrative and operational processes. Methodology: The research uses mixed qualitative and quantitative approaches that support exploratory and documentary methodologies. It starts from the research questions, to then define search strategies, list the selected publications and generate systematic data extraction, to finally analyze and conclude based on the findings. Key findings: From a review of 484 articles, 233 in Web of Science (WoS) and 251 in Scopus, it was found that India, China, and Finland are the countries that contribute the most to the use of technology in the sectors investigated. Cyber-physical systems and robotics, big data, IoT and simulation are the pillars of Industry 4.0, with greater application of RPA-associated technologies. Finally, logistic models turn out to have a greater scope for using technologies for the development of activities and tasks in the manufacturing sector. Conclusions: The result and contribution of this exercise shows parameters for the implementation of RPA in the organizational management of SMES in the manufacturing and service sector.

Keywords

• Robotic process automation technology
• SMEs
• operational processes
• logistical processes
• business processes