A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW OF OEE RESEARCH: TRENDS IN PERFORMANCE METRICS AND DIGITAL INTEGRATION IN MANUFACTURING

Abstract

This paper conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) to present the academic development of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) as a core manufacturing performance metric. The research examines the implementation of OEE within performance management systems, alongside digital transformation and sustainable production frameworks. The review presents a novel approach that combines an SLR with bibliometric mapping to study OEE’s development across the digitalisation age, AI predictive maintenance, and sustainable practices. The research used an SLR, searching Scopus and Web of Science with Boolean queries and inclusion/exclusion criteria, and employing a snowball sampling approach. The research included 81 studies found through a systematic screening of peer-reviewed articles, which were subjected to qualitative synthesis, while bibliometric tools such as VOSviewer, RabbitResearch, and Litmaps supported conceptual mapping and trend identification. Results demonstrated that OEE frameworks have evolved from a basic TPM scorecard into a live digital OEE system. While lean-agile integration, predictive maintenance, and Industry 4.0 concepts are taking root in research, there are wide sectoral gaps in the blend of disciplines, the suitability of adaptation for batch production and high-margin industries, and the link to financial decision-making. This study is one of the very few SLRs on OEE research using bibliometric techniques, and the paper extends a systematic mapping study to identify performance metrics that map to digital and strategic business goals in contemporary manufacturing. The paper advances by combining systematic screening, citation, and keyword analyses, demonstrating how OEE has evolved from TPM-based indicators into a digitally driven performance framework.