Antecedents of Test Automation Adoption in DevOps Continuous Testing: A Systematic Literature Review Through the TOE Framework
Antecedents of Test Automation Adoption in DevOps Continuous Testing: A Systematic Literature Review Through the TOE Framework

Summary/Abstract: Background: The rapid evolution of software engineering has positioned DevOps practices and Continuous Testing (CT) as critical approaches for achieving speed, quality, and reliability in software delivery. Test automation is central to CT, yet its adoption remains inconsistent due to a complex interplay of technological, organizational, and environmental conditions. Objective: This study employs a systematic literature review guided by the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework to identify, categorize, and synthesize the antecedents that influence the test automation adoption in DevOps continuous testing. Methods: Using the PRISMA protocol, 49 peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025 were systematically analyzed, yielding 61 distinct factors comprising 29 technological, 19 organizational, and 13 environmental antecedents. These factors were further consolidated into thematic clusters to enhance analytical clarity and reduce fragmentation. Results: The findings demonstrate that technological and organizational drivers, including relative advantage, compatibility, top management support, and employee competence, dominate the literature, while environmental influences such as competitive pressure, regulatory requirements, and vendor ecosystems are comparatively underexplored. This imbalance indicates that although the TOE framework is widely applied in technology adoption studies, empirical research has given greater attention to internal adoption enablers than to external pressures. By simplifying and synthesizing the factors into coherent sub-themes, this study contributes to both theory and practice by offering a structured lens through which test automation adoption can be examined in the DevOps CT context. Theoretically, it validates the relevance of TOE for analysing multidimensional adoption dynamics, while practically, it provides managers with evidence-based insights to prioritize critical factors when planning automation initiatives. Methodologically, it demonstrates the importance of transparent and replicable review processes for advancing cumulative knowledge. Conclusion: Overall, the study bridges fragmented findings into a coherent framework and strengthens understanding of adoption strategies in continuous testing environments.

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