La inteligencia artificial y la eficiencia energética como motores de la creación de valor sostenible en las PYMES.

Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) play a strategic role in economic resilience and in the transition toward sustainable development models, particularly in emerging economies. However, they face significant financial, technical, and organizational constraints that hinder the adoption of advanced technologies for optimizing energy use. In this context, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a key tool to enhance energy efficiency and support sustainable value creation. The objective of this study is to explain how the adoption of AI for energy management drives sustainable value creation in manufacturing and service MSMEs, considering the mediating role of operational energy efficiency.

The research adopts a quantitative approach with a non-experimental, cross-sectional, and explanatory design. The unit of analysis consists of formally established MSMEs located in Northern Peru. Data will be collected from approximately 150 firms through a structured questionnaire administered to owners or senior managers. The analytical model includes three latent constructs: AI adoption for energy management, operational energy efficiency, and sustainable value creation, encompassing economic, environmental, and social dimensions. The proposed relationships will be examined using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM).

The study is expected to validate an explanatory model demonstrating that AI adoption significantly improves energy efficiency and, through this mechanism, strengthens sustainable value creation and organizational resilience in MSMEs. The findings aim to provide empirical evidence to support managerial decision-making and inform public policies focused on promoting sustainable digital transformation and energy-efficient business practices in MSMEs.