Adoption of Artificial Intelligence In Small And Medium-Sized Enterprises In Spain: The Role of Competences And Skills.
Mammadov Huseyn, África Ruiz-Gándara, Luis González-Abril and Isidoro Romero
Palabras clave: Artificial intelligence, SME, digital competence, digital skill, digitalisation, information technology, GAN.
This article delves into the evolving landscape of competency requirements spurred by AI adoption within companies and deals particularly in the case of SMEs in Spain. In doing so, we highlight the pivotal role of upgrading skill sets, adaptability, and strategic workforce planning to harness the potential of AI while ensuring sustainable growth and competitiveness in today’s dynamic business environment.
The approach of SMEs to digitalisation is influenced by the specific characteristics of these types of companies, which can entail certain limitations to adopting AI in their businesses. In this context, our paper highlights some critical competencies and skills that favour the adoption of AI in SMEs. To our knowledge, this study represents the first attempt to examine the competency requirements for AI implementation with a specific focus on SMEs. By empirically investigating the factors associated with AI adoption in SMEs in Spain, our research therefore fills a relevant gap in the existing literature. Our findings not only provide valuable insights into important competencies for AI implementation, but also offer practical guidance for SMEs looking to embark on their AI journey.
From a methodological standpoint, our study employs an innovative technique known as Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), which has traditionally found application in fields such as medicine and engineering and has only recently been adopted in the realm of economics.
Our analysis reveals that SMEs with business owners/managers holding a university degree or high-professional training, those with IT experts on their staff, and those conducting IT-related training for their employees are more inclined to adopt AI technologies. Furthermore, SMEs equipped with advanced digital management skills (using ERP systems and marketing analytics tools) and engaged in collaboration with universities and research centres exhibit a higher propensity for the integration of AI into their operations.
These findings have significant implications for both business management and public policy. From a managerial point of view, the results underscore the critical need for the enhancement of digital skills within companies to facilitate the successful adoption of AI technologies. In this sense, the hiring of IT specialists is crucial for SMEs to adopt AI. They bring expertise in assessing needs, integrating systems, managing data, and ensuring cybersecurity. Their skills are essential for successful AI implementation, driving innovation and efficiency in SMEs. Furthermore, the results presented in this document highlight the importance of investing in training programmes and initiatives aimed at improving the skills of employees and managers to effectively leverage AI in business operations.
In particular, this research shows that implementing ERP systems and marketing analytics in SMEs can significantly favour the adoption of AI in business operations. ERP systems streamline and integrate various business processes, providing a centralised platform to manage resources, finances, and operations. This integration results in a wealth of structured data, which is essential for training AI models. Additionally, marketing analytics tools allow SMEs to gather, analyse, and interpret vast amounts of customer data, leading to better insights and more informed decision making. Together, these technologies create a robust data infrastructure, improving the capacity for AI implementation. Using data from ERP systems and marketing analytics, AI can automate and optimise tasks, predict trends, personalise customer interactions, and improve overall efficiency. Finally, SMEs should also strive to establish closer collaboration with universities and research centres to support their AI implementation projects within their businesses. These cooperative relationships can facilitate SMEs’ access to external knowledge, skills, and capabilities that are not available within the organisation.
On the policy front, public administrations can play a crucial role in fostering AI adoption among SMEs by designing initiatives focused on improving key digital competencies. This could involve developing targeted training programmes, providing financial incentives or grants for technology adoption, and facilitating collaboration between SMEs and educational institutions or research centres. Furthermore, the development of AI competences within education systems is strategically important (Grădinaru et al., 2024). By actively promoting the development of digital skills and capabilities within SMEs, policymakers can contribute to driving innovation, productivity, and competitiveness in the broader economy.
This research is not without limitations. In this sense, it should be noted that most of the variables used in the econometric analysis are dichotomous. Future research could use Likert scales to capture the degrees of intensity of responses. Furthermore, while the analysis presented in this paper offers valuable information on SMEs in Spain, the observed results could be context dependent. More research is needed to generalise the findings and assess their applicability to other countries. Furthermore, future studies could explore whether similar conclusions hold true for larger companies in different industries.
Mammadov, H., Ruiz-Gándara, A., González-Abril, L., and Romero, I. 2024. Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Spain: The Role of Competences and Skills. Amfiteatru Economic, 26(67), pp. 848-866.
