Enhancing Supply Chain Innovation via Generative AI: Mediating Effects of Knowledge Sharing and Supply Chain Learning

As generative AI applications in supply chain management become increasingly thorough, systematic studies on how it could promote enterprise innovation are yet to come to light. This paper takes 298 manufacturing enterprises in Zhejiang Province as samples, uses questionnaire surveys and PLS-SEM methods to investigate how generative AI exerts its influence on supply chain innovation, and tests the role of knowledge sharing and supply chain learning as a mediator. Research has found that generative AI capabilities can significantly enhance knowledge sharing and supply chain learning levels. Knowledge sharing not only promotes supply chain learning but also has a direct driving effect on supply chain innovation, playing a key mediating role between generative AI capabilities and innovation. In contrast, the hypothesised mediation of supply chain learning did not receive statistical support. This indicates that the impact of generative AI on supply chain innovation does not depend on supply chain learning. The results reveal the transmission path of generative AI in supply chain innovation, emphasising the core position of knowledge sharing in the process of transforming technological capabilities into innovative results. This paper provides new empirical evidence to understand AI-driven innovation and provides reference practice to promote digital transformation and collaborative innovation among manufacturing enterprises.