Shadow IT Transformation in the Post-Pandemic Digital Workplace: A Systematic Literature Review

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered organizational work patterns, accelerating digital transformation and the adoption of remote and hybrid work models. These changes have affected the practice of shadow IT, the use of unauthorized IT by employees without formal IT approval. This systematic literature review aims to explore how the pandemic and the shift to remote work have impacted shadow IT adoption, motivations, and management strategies in the context of digital transformation. We followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines to conduct a search of peer-reviewed articles published between 2018 and 2025 across multiple databases (Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, AIS eLibrary). A total of 67 studies were included based on predefined criteria. The review identified key themes related to the evolving nature of shadow IT adoption, its associated risks, and adaptive management practices. Shadow IT adoption increased from 30 to 40% before the pandemic to 41% in 2022, with projections suggesting it could reach 75% by 2027. The findings show a shift in motivation for adopting shadow IT, from convenience-driven use to a necessity for business continuity, and finally, to a strategy for optimizing organizational processes. This review highlights the need for organizations to rethink IT governance in the post-pandemic digital workplace, as shadow IT has moved from an issue to be eliminated to a phenomenon that can be managed and leveraged.