Can Artificial Intelligence Enhance the Stability of Supply Chain Systems for Sports Enterprises? Insights from Systems Theory and Supply Chain Management Theory

In the digital economy, the effective use of artificial intelligence (AI) is crucial for maintaining supply chain stability (SCS) in sports enterprises (SEs). Leveraging systems theory and supply chain management theory, we construct a dual machine learning model (DML) to empirically assess the impact of AI on the SCS of SE. This analysis is based on panel data from 45 Chinese listed SEs over the period 2012–2023. The results indicate that AI significantly enhances supplier stability but notably reduces customer stability in SE. Talent attraction emerges as the primary mechanism, while logistics efficiency fails to fulfill its anticipated role. The impact of AI on SCS in SE exhibits heterogeneity based on enterprise type and profitability status. Our findings offer valuable insights for harnessing the potential of AI and fostering its deeper integration into the supply chains of SE.