Title: Firm maturity, AI adoption, and financial performance in Finnish service firms

Authors: Farid Lolo; Marko Torkkeli; Adeel Tariq

Addresses: Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology, LUT Kouvola Unit, Kauppalankatu 13, 45100 Kouvola, Finland ' Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology, LUT Kouvola Unit, Kauppalankatu 13, 45100 Kouvola, Finland ' Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology, LUT Kouvola Unit, Kauppalankatu 13, 45100 Kouvola, Finland

Abstract: Firm maturity shapes artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and its influence on financial performance in service firms. This research examines the relationship between firm maturity and AI adoption; furthermore, it examines the impact of AI adoption on firm performance. Results find that firm maturity is linked to pursuing incremental, efficiency-driven AI integration; thus, firm maturity is linked with AI adoption. Additionally, AI adoption is not linked with improved returns on assets (ROA) or equity (ROE). This research adds to the knowledge by examining the relationship between firm maturity and AI adoption, which is novel to the best of the authors knowledge. It also added to the knowledge by re-examining the relationship between AI adoption and firm performance measures.

Keywords: artificial intelligence; AI adoption; firm maturity; organisational life cycle; service firms; Finland.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGAIB.2026.151816

International Journal of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Business, 2026 Vol.1 No.1/2, pp.52 - 64

Received: 07 Aug 2025
Accepted: 19 Aug 2025
Published online: 20 Feb 2026 *