Artificial intelligence as a tool for preventing SME failures and improving organizational performance: A literature review adapted to the Moroccan context

The objective of this study is to present a narrative literature review exploring the transformative potential of artificial intelligence to prevent the failure of Moroccan SMEs and strengthen their organizational performance. SMEs, which are essential pillars of the national economy, remain vulnerable to the risk of failure due to internal factors (shortcomings in financial management, lack of technological skills, limited capacity for innovation) and external factors (economic instability, intensified competition, market pressures). The methodological approach is based on a rigorous theoretical analysis incorporating recent international research from Scopus, a database recognized for its reliability and comprehensiveness, supplemented by targeted investigations via Google Scholar. This approach is necessary given the notable absence of work combining AI and SME failure prevention in Morocco. It identifies the opportunities offered by AI, the major obstacles to its integration, and the strategies that promote its adoption. Analysis of the results reveals that AI generates considerable benefits in terms of process automation, predictive analytics, proactive risk management, and decision-making optimization. These contributions are crucial for anticipating failure, maximizing operational performance, and strengthening organizational resilience. Nevertheless, several barriers hinder its adoption: insufficient specialized skills, inadequate infrastructure, significant investment, and cultural and organizational resistance. The discussion highlights the imperative to design strategies specific to the Moroccan context, encompassing skills development, strengthening digital infrastructure, synergies between SMEs and technological ecosystems, and promoting the benefits of AI. In conclusion, this research is the first theoretical contribution in Morocco to address both AI and the prevention of SME failure, paving the way for future empirical investigations to assess the concrete effectiveness of AI solutions and develop integration models tailored to the specificities of Moroccan companies.