Based on the sample literature of WoS and CSSCI from 1990 to 2022 and combined with bibliometric analysis and systematic literature review， it summarized the research status of intelligent manufacturing and identified research space to indicate future research directions. The results show that there are seven knowledge modules to form the “Why—Why—How” （2W1H） framework. In the term of “What”， it demonstrates the concept， two core systems （eg. function and support system）， and the measurement of the degree of intelligent manufacturing）. In the term of “Why”， it indicates two contexts （eg. technological revolution and commercial civilization revolution）， four theoretical perspectives （eg. catch-up strategy， smile curve theory， actor network and value co-creation）， three drivers at technical， organizational and environmental levels， and three consequences at the national， industrial and firm levels. In the term of “How”， it includes four paths guided by technological innovational catch-up， value chain climbing， actor network and value creation. Based on research hotspots and research frontiers， future research directions are proposed for the aspects of What， Why and How. Combining bibliometric analysis and systematic literature review， it allows for a more scientific and objective framework as well as specific future research directions.