Article: Exploring artificial intelligence adoption among Italian firms: the AI readiness level Journal: International Journal of Business Information Systems (IJBIS) 2026 Vol.51 No.7 pp.1 - 22 Abstract: This study presents the first comprehensive analysis of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption among Italian firms, with a particular focus on the emerging impact of generative AI. Drawing upon the diffusion of innovations theory and the technology-organisation-environment (TOE) framework, we surveyed 237 managers from an Italian business school to examine their perspectives on both predictive/analytical AI and generative AI implementation. Our findings revealed varying levels of adoption and identified a significant gap in organisational AI readiness assessment tools. In response, we developed the AI readiness level (AIRL) framework, grounded in the TOE model, to evaluate AI maturity and guide strategic planning. This framework enables organisations to assess their AI capabilities, align initiatives with business objectives, and address key barriers such as skills shortages and data quality concerns. The study's limitations include the Italian context and specific executive sample. Future research should expand the sample size, diversify industries, and use randomised sampling. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Exploring artificial intelligence adoption among Italian firms: the AI readiness level

Authors: Grazia Garlatti Costa; Roberto Pugliese; Francesco Venier

Addresses: DEAMS, Università Degli Studi di Trieste, Trieste, Italy; MIB Trieste School of Management, Trieste, Italy ' Elettra – Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A and MIB Trieste School of Management, Trieste, Italy ' DEAMS, Università Degli Studi di Trieste, Trieste, Italy; MIB Trieste School of Management, Trieste, Italy

Abstract: This study presents the first comprehensive analysis of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption among Italian firms, with a particular focus on the emerging impact of generative AI. Drawing upon the diffusion of innovations theory and the technology-organisation-environment (TOE) framework, we surveyed 237 managers from an Italian business school to examine their perspectives on both predictive/analytical AI and generative AI implementation. Our findings revealed varying levels of adoption and identified a significant gap in organisational AI readiness assessment tools. In response, we developed the AI readiness level (AIRL) framework, grounded in the TOE model, to evaluate AI maturity and guide strategic planning. This framework enables organisations to assess their AI capabilities, align initiatives with business objectives, and address key barriers such as skills shortages and data quality concerns. The study's limitations include the Italian context and specific executive sample. Future research should expand the sample size, diversify industries, and use randomised sampling.

Keywords: artificial intelligence; generative AI; Italian firms; AI readiness level; AIRL; DOI theory; TOE framework; technology adoption; innovation diffusion; AI implementation; digital transform.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBIS.2026.152513

International Journal of Business Information Systems, 2026 Vol.51 No.7, pp.1 - 22

Received: 12 Jan 2025
Accepted: 06 Feb 2025
Published online: 24 Mar 2026 *

Title: Exploring artificial intelligence adoption among Italian firms: the AI readiness level

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