Digitalizing public sector supply chains: a systematic and keyword-based review

Abstract

How are digital technologies transforming public sector supply chains, and what factors condition their effectiveness? Despite the growing interest in this domain, the literature remains fragmented, with a lack of longitudinal studies, citizen-centered evaluations, and cross-country comparisons. This study addresses these gaps through a systematic review of 71 Scopus-indexed articles, combining descriptive mapping with a keyword-based bibliometric analysis. The approach identifies consolidated and emerging themes, particularly within the “Business, Management and Accounting” subject area, where methodological heterogeneity and limited generalizability persist. Findings reveal increasing scholarly attention to technologies such as blockchain, AI, and e-procurement, highlighting both operational modernization and newer concerns such as sustainability, digital governance, and decentralized finance. The paper contributes by structuring dispersed knowledge into a coherent framework, offering a roadmap for research and practical guidance for public administrators seeking value-driven digital transformation.