Towards Conceptualizing Software-Defined Vehicles: A Systematic Review and Future Research Avenues

Software has become increasingly pivotal in transforming products, processes, and business models across industries. This shift is especially evident in the European automotive industry, as vehicles become progressively defined by software. However, this transformation induces substantial challenges, exemplified by Volkswagen’s struggles establishing an effective information systems (IS) organization, pioneering vehicle software. These challenges present a unique research opportunity for the IS community, with its interdisciplinary nature and capability to bridge the realms of engineering and management. To establish a common understanding, we conducted a scoping review of 425 scientific articles and 62 industry reports, providing a preliminary overview of software-defined vehicle (SDV) research. We identify 13 key topics, highlighting a significant gap between academic and practitioner perspectives, thereby contributing to an initial conceptualization of the term ‘SDV’. Our findings aim to guide future IS research in understanding and navigating the complexities of software-defined products and their transformative impact on organizations.