Mapping and Auditing Evidence in Digital Storytelling for Industrial Heritage Transformation: A Focused Systematic Review (2011–2026)

This study presents a focused review of digital storytelling research in industrial heritage using a bounded Scopus-indexed corpus covering the period from 2011 to February 2026. It examines whether regeneration-relevant interpretive claims in urban renewal contexts are supported by traceable research structures. As post-industrial landscapes undergo restoration and urban redevelopment, digital storytelling is frequently used to frame issues of memory, responsibility, and heritage legitimacy; however, the evidentiary basis of such claims remains insufficiently scrutinized. Adopting an outcome-traceability perspective, the study evaluates whether interpretation-related outcomes are supported by traceable links between mechanisms, constructs, measurement approaches, and evaluation design. A two-stage synthesis is conducted: Stage 1 provides a bibliometric profile of the Scopus-indexed corpus, revealing a fragmented publication landscape dominated by conference papers and prototype-oriented studies, while Stage 2 audits evidence chains across the screened analytical studies to assess whether commonly cited mechanisms, such as narrative meaning-making, affective engagement, and interactive exploration, are operationalised into explicit constructs and measurable indicators. Findings suggest that reported outcomes most frequently concentrate on immediate experiential responses, while higher-level outcomes such as awareness, attitudes, and learning are less consistently supported by robust evaluation designs. The study identifies recurring traceability gaps and outlines priorities for improving evidentiary consistency and comparability in industrial heritage digital storytelling research.