Technological, Organisational and Environmental Factors Affecting AI Adoption : A Qualitative Study on Insights from Leaders and Employees in Swedish SMEs

Sammanfattning

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly adopted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). While digital literacy is high in Sweden, AI adoption is still low. Understanding how SMEs adopt AI is practically and academically relevant, especially in Sweden. This thesis aims to study the factors that affect AI adoption in Swedish SMEs, drawing on insights from both leaders and employees. Utilising qualitative research, eight semi-structured interviews with leaders and employees from four Swedish SMEs were conducted. Through thematic analysis, six themes emerged: “Perceived Complexity and Data Dependency”, “Essential Skills for Effective and Successful AI Use”, “Lack of AI Knowledge as a Prominent Skill Gap”, “Positive Resistance: Caution as a Constructive Force”, “Informal, Curiosity-Driven Learning Cultures”, and “Regulatory and Ethical Aspects of AI Adoption”. The study applies the Technology–Organisation–Environment framework and institutional theory to explain how macro-pressures influence organisational micro-processes in response to AI. By offering a role-inclusive empirical account, the study contributes to the literature by advancing understanding of AI adoption in SMEs. The findings indicate that AI adoption is shaped less by technological capability alone and more by organisational conditions, human judgement and environmental forces. This study contributes to the literature by including insights from both leaders and employees.