Rethinking the Organizational Performance of SMEs in the AI Era: A Systematic Review of the Role of Leadership
Year: 2026
Type: review
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Against a backdrop of rapid digital transformation and the expansion of data-driven technologies, SMEs are being compelled to rethink their performance management mechanisms as they navigate complex, dynamic, and highly digitized environments. Today, AI is considered one of the key drivers of organizational transformation. Its adoption within organizations is profoundly reshaping managerial practices, particularly in the area of strategic decision-making. AI is not merely a technical tool but also a strategic lever that supports competitiveness and performance. The objective of this study is to examine the relationships between AI adoption, leadership, and organizational performance in SMEs. This article is part of a systematic literature review conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) protocol. This review covers a collection of 15 articles published between 2020 and 2026, sourced from databases including Scopus, Springer, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, and meeting the relevance and inclusion criteria established for this study. The findings of this study highlight that this area of research remains understudied and underdeveloped, even though previous studies have demonstrated a significant relationship between AI adoption, leadership, and multiple dimensions of organizational performance in SMEs..
Institution: Université Ibn Zohr
Language: English
Field: Decision Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7204134552