Enterprise architecture\u27s effects on organizations\u27 ability to adopt artificial intelligence - A Resource-based perspective

The race for the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) has begun. Companies are increasingly investing more in the technology to gain competitive advantage. However, they often struggle with its adoption. On the other hand, recent research suggests that enterprise architecture (EA) can improve companies’ ability to innovate. But what about the relationship of EA and AI adoption? This research aims to investigate this question in more detail using the resource-based view. Thus, EA and AI adoption are conceptualized as organizational resources that enable companies to improve their performance. Since research suggests that EA rather indirectly contributes to organizational success, it was assumed that the relationship of EA and AI adoption is influenced by additional, intermediating capabilities. An analysis conducted on survey data from 83 respondents, primarily C-level executives, managers and enterprise architects, revealed that EA has significant positive effects on AI adoption through capabilities that concern first, the partnerships between AI and business units, second, the alignment between AI and business units, and third, the strategic flexibility of the IS infrastructure