Organizational Capabilities for Deploying AI in Corporate Environmental Sustainability

Sammanfattning

Organizations increasingly explore artificial intelligence (AI) to advance corporate environmental sustainability, yet research offers limited insight into the organizational capabilities required to do so effectively. This thesis addresses this research gap by examining the organizational capabilities that enable firms to deploy AI for corporate environmental sustainability. In order to answer the research question, an exploratory qualitative study was conducted, using semi-structured interviews with European professionals working in sustainability and AI. The data was analyzed through thematic analysis to uncover patterns across interviews. Our findings show that organizations require Ordinary Capabilities for general AI adoption (covering Technological, Organizational, and Environmental dimensions). Crucially, these foundational capabilities must be complemented by four distinct Environmental Sustainability Capabilities: Environmental Sustainability Strategy, Environmental Sustainability Data, Environmental Sustainability KPIs, and Collaboration. These specific capabilities, which function as an integrated system, help companies identify a broader range of AI initiatives that benefit environmental sustainability not only as a by-product of efficiency projects but as strategically aligned tools for achieving long-term environmental objectives. Practically, managers should embed these structural conditions by establishing a holistic environmental sustainability strategy, building robust environmental sustainability data capabilities, translating goals into measurable Environmental Sustainability KPIs across departments, and enhancing strong cross-functional Collaboration between sustainability, IT, and operational units. Thereby ensuring that AI is intentionally and effectively used for environmental sustainability.