Citation: Liao, H.-T.; Lo, T.-M.; Pan, C.-L. Knowledge Mapping Analysis of Intelligent Ports: Research Facing Global Value Chain Challenges. Systems 2023, 11, 88. https:// doi.org/10.3390/systems11020088 Academic Editors: Marco Ardolino and Luna Leoni Received: 28 December 2022 Revised: 30 January 2023 Accepted: 3 February 2023 Published: 8 February 2023 Copyright: © 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). systems Article Knowledge Mapping Analysis of Intelligent Ports: Research Facing Global Value Chain Challenges Han-Teng Liao 1,2 , Tsung-Ming Lo 3, * and Chung-Lien Pan 1,4 1 Higher Education Impact Assessment Center, Nanfang College-Guangzhou, Conghua, Guangzhou 510970, China; h.liao@ieee.org (H.-T.L.); panzhl@nfu.edu.cn (C.-L.P.) 2 School of Public Administration, Nanfang College-Guangzhou, Conghua, Guangzhou 510970, China 3 School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Nanfang College-Guangzhou, Conghua, Guangzhou 510970, China 4 School of Accounting, Nanfang College-Guangzhou, Conghua, Guangzhou 510970, China * Correspondence: luocm@nfu.edu.cn Abstract: Integrated technology management in building smart ports or intelligent ports is a crucial concern for global sustainable development, especially when human societies are facing increasing risks from climate change, sea-levels rising, and supply chain disruptions. By mapping the knowledge base of 103 papers on intelligent ports, retrieved in late December 2022 from the Web of Science, this study conducted a roadmapping exercise using knowledge mapping findings, assisted by Bibliometrix, VoSviewer, and customized Python scripts. The three structural (intellectual, social, and conceptual) aspects of knowledge structure reveal the significance of the internet of things (IoT), the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0), digitalization and supply chains, and the need for digital transformation alignment across various stakeholders with Industry 4.0 practices. Furthermore, an even geographical distribution and institutional representation was observed across major continents. The results of the analysis of the conceptual structure demonstrated the existence of several established and emerging clusters of research, namely (1) industry data, IoT, and ICT, (2) industry 4.0, (3) smart airports, (4) automation; and (5) protocol and security. The overall empirical findings revealed the underlying technology and innovation management issues of digital transformation alignment across stakeholders in IoT, Industry 4.0, 5G, Big Data, and AI integrated solutions. In relation to roadmapping, this study proposed a socio-technical transition framework for prototyping ecosystem innovations surrounding smart sustainable ports, focusing on contributing to valuable carbon or greenhouse gas emission data governance, management, and services in global value chains. Keywords: system innovations; sustainable smart ports; strategic foresight; intelligent ports; global value chains; digital transformation; business eco-systems; minimum viable ecosystems; socio- technical transitions 1. Introduction Roadmapping can be a valuable strategic tool for research and innovation manage- ment [1,2], especially for complex issues, such as climate change and carbon emission reduction [3]. Port development and management, including port logistics [4], can also use roadmapping to explore how digital technologies can advance the smart and sustainable development of ports, port cities, and global value chains. The “greening” of global value chains or global trade [5], including embedding environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting practices and data, can begin with the “greening“ of ports, as evidenced by the industrial agenda for the World Port Sustainability Program (WPSP) [6]. Indeed, ports need to improve their environmental performance, while not losing their competitiveness. The WPSP has exemplified the contribution by a major sector in the supply chain to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aligning the industry best practices and sus- tainable development actions, especially with the targets of SDG 9, 14 and 15 [7], including Systems 2023, 11, 88. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems11020088 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/systems