The Influence of Generative AI on Business Management: Emerging Patterns from Spanish SMEs

Generative AI is spreading rapidly, yet it remains unclear how Spanish SMEs combine descriptive, predictive, prescriptive, and generative AI and which organizational conditions support strategic integration and value creation. Drawing on a capability-based perspective, this study examines how AI typologies interact with organizational readiness and managerial capabilities in SMEs. This mixed-method, cross-sectional study surveyed CEOs and managers from 57 Spanish SMEs through a 19-item online questionnaire. Quantitative analysis used descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests to compare typology prevalence and examine associations between adoption maturity, readiness indicators, strategic integration, and perceived outcomes. Results show that adoption is concentrated on generative AI (78.9%), while predictive (36.8%), descriptive (33.3%), and prescriptive (29.8%) applications remain less prevalent, with significant differences across typologies. Managerial confidence and team preparedness are positively associated with strategic integration, while skills constraints are the most frequently reported barrier (61.4%). Perceived organizational impact varies with adoption maturity and is positively associated with competitive improvement. Findings suggest that AI adoption in Spanish SMEs is less a question of access than of capability: generative AI may accelerate experimentation, but only firms that develop skills, governance, and decision discipline appear more likely to convert visibility into sustained strategic value.