Advancing the understanding of employee performance: a recent systematic literature review using PRISMA

Employee performance is a crucial factor for ensuring organizational sustainability and competitiveness. However, the lack of consistency in research findings and the variety of theoretical approaches make it difficult to fully understand what influences employee performance, especially in complex organizations such as manufacturing companies, holding firms, and state-owned enterprises. This study conducts a systematic literature review following the PRISMA 2020 protocol, focusing on Scopus-indexed articles published between 2020 and 2025. A total of 24 articles were selected based on clear inclusion and exclusion criteria. Thematic analysis is used to identify the most frequently studied variables, examine the theories applied, and assess the consistency of research results. Thirteen main variables are identified, including motivation, work environment, leadership style, compensation, job satisfaction, training, organizational culture, work-life balance, digital culture, competence, commitment, organizational learning, and career development. Although many of these variables appear frequently, the findings often differ depending on the organizational context and research methods used. The review also finds that three theories are most commonly applied, namely Social Exchange Theory, Social Capital Theory, and Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory. This review is limited to English-language articles from Scopus. Still, it provides a useful summary for future research and practical use in strategic organizational settings.