Artificial intelligence and supply chain resilience: The roles of knowledge-based dynamic capabilities and digital leadership

Amid growing global uncertainty and supply chain disruptions, strengthening supply chain resilience has emerged as a key strategic priority for firms. Although artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising supply chain management, existing research lacks an understanding of the impacts of firm-level AI adoption on supply chain resilience, particularly through capability-building mechanisms. Drawing on knowledge-based dynamic capabilities theory and socio-technical systems theory, this paper constructs a theoretical framework to explain how firm-level AI adoption enhances supply chain resilience. Applying panel data from 3,252 Chinese A-share listed firms over the period 2010-2023, our findings reveal that AI adoption positively strengthens supply chain resilience. Mechanism analyses indicate that absorptive capability and innovative capability serve as significant mediators of this relationship, whereas adaptive capability does not. Moreover, top executives’ digital leadership positively moderates the AI adoption—supply chain resilience nexus. Further heterogeneity analysis shows that effects are relatively pronounced in non-state-owned enterprises, technology-intensive/non-manufacturing industries, and developed, highly marketized regions. These findings advance understanding of the mechanism whereby AI adoption fosters supply chain resilience through capability development and highlight digital leadership as a vital enabler in AI-driven digital transformation.