Systematic Review of Hybrid Multi-Cloud Environments: Advances, Challenges, and Emerging Trends

This study examines the latest developments in hybrid and multicloud architectures through a systematic literature review (SLR). The objective is to identify technological innovations and approaches driving the adoption of hybrid/multicloud environments, to understand the direction of research and its practical applications. Searches were conducted in Scopus and Web of Science, using terms such as 'hybrid cloud,' 'multicloud,' 'cloud orchestration,' and Boolean combinations. The results were analysed with Bibliometrix (R), and qualitative thematic analysis was used to answer each research question (RQ). The result was 563 documents in Scopus and 135 documents in WOS. After removing 114 duplicates and 410 documents considered grey literature (articles and conference chapters), 52 articles from indexed journals were analysed. This SLR has identified key gaps in the management of hybrid or multicloud environments that will guide future research. In this regard, there remains an opportunity to develop frameworks supported by standards organisations that unify APIs, image formats, and identity management, removing proprietary barriers and creating autonomous systems that integrate monitoring, provisioning, balancing, and SLA enforcement.