This podcast synthesizes findings from a study on the relationship between organizations' perceptions of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the nature of Supply Chain Learning (SCL). Based on an online survey of 206 top and middle managers from various industry sectors in Brazil, the research reveals that perceptions of AI's usefulness and its ease of use are critical determinants of how knowledge is created, shared, and driven across a supply chain.

The central conclusion is that different combinations of Perceived Usefulness (PU) and Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU) of AI correlate directly with four distinct types of SCL.

• When both PU and PEOU are low, a Captive SCL emerges, where a dominant focal company controls learning within a closed network.

• When PU is high but PEOU is low, a Selective SCL occurs, with a focal company leading learning across an open network of chosen partners.

• When PU is low but PEOU is high, a Consortium SCL prevails, driven by non-focal companies within a closed network.

• When both PU and PEOU are high, a Distributed SCL is fostered, characterized by democratized learning efforts led by diverse players across multiple supply chains.

These findings provide a strategic framework for managers, demonstrating that by prioritizing digitalization efforts and shaping perceptions of AI, they can actively influence the learning dynamics within their supply chains to enhance decision-making, problem-solving, and overall competitive advantage.

Source: Tortorella, G. L., Powell, D., Malik, M., Alfalla-Luque, R., Portioli-Staudacher, A., & Nascimento, D. (2025). Perceptions of AI adoption and their impact on supply chain learning. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13675567.2025.2547202