Mapping the Evolution of Critical Success Factors in Digital Transformation: A 25-Year Bibliometric Perspective

Over the past 25 years, digital transformation (DT) has evolved from a technology-centric initiative to a multidimensional strategic imperative, with Critical Success Factors (CSFs) playing a pivotal role in guiding implementation outcomes.Despite the growing body of DT literature, a lack of longitudinal synthesis remains, mapping how CSFs have emerged, evolved, and interconnected over time.This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of DT-CSF research from 2000 to 2025, utilizing performance analysis and science mapping techniques to identify influential authors, institutions, countries, thematic clusters, and emerging research fronts.The results reveal an early research focus on IT infrastructure, system integration, and process automation, gradually shifting toward strategic leadership, organizational culture, agile project management, stakeholder engagement, and innovation ecosystems.Collaboration network analysis highlights the increasing interdisciplinarity of the field, with strong linkages between management, information systems, and industry-specific domains.Keyword co-occurrence mapping identifies emerging themes such as artificial intelligence adoption, sustainability-driven transformation, and cross-sector digital ecosystems.The study concludes that while the field has matured toward more holistic and context-sensitive perspectives, significant gaps remain in understanding CSFs in small-tomedium enterprises, developing economies, and rapidly evolving technological contexts.