JISE


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Journal of Information Science and Engineering, Vol. 42 No. 5, pp. 1421-1433


 Artificial Intelligence and Corporate Sustainability in SMEs: Exploring the Role of AI in Advancing Sustainable Business Practices

VASCO SANTOS1,2,3,4,+, FILIPA MARTINHO1, RICARDO MARCÃO1,2, DOMINGOS MARTINHO1,2 AND HÉLDER S. LOPES5,6,7
1ISLA Santarém
Polytechnic University
Santarém, 2000-029 Portugal
2NECE-UBI
University of Beira Interior
Covilhã, 6200-209 Portugal
3GOVCOPP, Campus Universitário de Santiago
Aveiro, 3810-193 Portugal
4Department of Technology and Art
Polytechnic University of Tomar
Tomar, 2300-313 Portugal
5Department of Geography, Institute of Social Sciences
6Lab2PT − Landscape, Heritage and Territory Laboratory
IN2PAST − Associate Laboratory for Research & Innovation in Heritage, Arts, Sustainability and Territory
Department of Geography
ICS − Institute of Social Sciences
University of Minho
Guimarães, 800-058 Portugal
7Higher School of Education Paula Frassinetti
Porto, 4000-255 Portugal
E-mail: vasco-rs@hotmail.com+

This study explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is perceived as a strategic enabler for sustainability transitions in organizational contexts, emphasizing territorial and policy-related dimensions. Based on 414 online survey responses collected in Mainland Portugal from professionals in management, technology, and sustainability-related fields of SMEs, the analysis examined how AI performance, sustainability perception, policy support, and implementation barriers are interconnected. Using Spearman’s rank correlation, seven hypotheses were tested, revealing strong associations between AI performance and sustainability outcomes, as well as the importance of policy frameworks. Significant gender-based differences were identified through Mann-Whitney U tests. Despite a generally optimistic view of AI’s role, respondents acknowledged persistent implementation barriers, especially in training, infrastructure, and organizational readiness. These findings underscore the importance of aligning digital innovation with inclusive and territorially-aware sustainability strategies.

Keywords: artificial intelligence, sustainability transitions, organizational perceptions, territorial governance, implementation barriers

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