AI Adoption in Jordanian SMEs: The Influence of Technological and Organizational Orientations

Abstract

This study examines the factors influencing the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Jordan, a key player in the growing Middle Eastern economy. Rooted in the Technology–Organization–Environment framework, we specifically focus on the role of technological capabilities and organizational dynamics in shaping AI adoption within Jordanian SMEs. A comprehensive survey involving 364 SME owner-managers in Jordan serves as the empirical foundation. Findings reveal the significant impact of employee IT knowledge, IT infrastructure, managerial commitment, training initiatives and well-designed reward systems in shaping SME owners’ or managers’ attitudes to AI. These findings provide valuable insights for SME leaders and stakeholders, guiding them in developing strategies to smoothly integrate AI technologies in line with Jordan’s societal needs. The article concludes by emphasizing the study’s contributions, implications and limitations while suggesting potential directions for future research in this field.