A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE-INTEGRATED BI DASHBOARDS FOR REAL-TIME DECISION SUPPORT IN OPERATIONS

Abstract

This study presents a systematic review of artificial intelligence–integrated business intelligence dashboards and their role in real-time decision support across multiple operational contexts. Guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, a comprehensive search and screening process across major academic databases yielded 96 high-quality studies spanning manufacturing, healthcare, supply chain, services, and utilities. The review synthesizes how advances in data architectures—such as cloud data warehouses, streaming platforms, and lakehouse integration—combine with predictive and prescriptive analytics to transform dashboards from static reporting tools into adaptive decision-support ecosystems. Findings reveal that well-designed dashboards lead to measurable improvements, including defect reductions, cycle time compression, increased service reliability, and enhanced resource utilization. However, technical sophistication alone proved insufficient; effective dashboards depended heavily on robust data governance, organizational readiness, user training, and the integration of explainable AI to ensure trust and adoption. Global comparisons highlighted significant adoption gaps between developed and emerging economies, influenced by infrastructure maturity, regulatory frameworks, and cultural decision-making norms. Human factors, including cognitive load management, usability, and escalation practices, emerged as decisive enablers of actionable intelligence. This review contributes theoretically by extending established frameworks such as the Technology Acceptance Model, Information Systems Success Model, and Resource-Based View to include model lifecycle management and explainability as key dimensions of success. Practically, it provides actionable recommendations for organizations to build trusted, transparent, and workflow-integrated dashboards that convert data into timely operational insight. Collectively, the study offers a comprehensive and evidence-based foundation for understanding and advancing AI-driven dashboards as strategic tools for real-time decision-making across sectors.