AI-driven competencies as micro-foundations of digital sustainability governance in global supply chains: a systematic literature review

Digital transformation is reshaping sustainability governance models in global supply chains by enabling advanced systems for ESG monitoring, traceability, and performance measurement. Intelligent automation powered by Artificial intelligence (AI) and real-time information flows enhances coordination and decision-making processes across supply networks, reinforcing the strategic role of data integration and algorithmic governance logics (Shamsuddoha et al., 2025). However, despite the extensive focus on technological infrastructures, the literature has devoted comparatively less attention to the human capabilities required to make these tools effective. The adoption of AI in sustainability governance demands specific skill configurations capable of interpreting algorithmic outputs, integrating data-driven tools into decision-making processes, and managing ethical and regulatory implications along the supply chain (Holmström, 2022; Trunk et al., 2020; Kumar et al., 2025). This study addresses this gap through a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed contributions published between 2018 and January 2026 and indexed in Scopus, conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The analysis of the 31 selected studies conceptualizes AI competencies as micro-foundations of digital sustainability governance (Foss & Pedersen, 2019), articulated across four domains: technical competencies in AI and data analytics (Chen et al., 2022; Gangoda et al., 2023); AI literacy and interpretive capabilities related to ESG metrics (Li et al., 2025; Pinski et al., 2024; Li & Kim, 2024); transversal governance, systems thinking, and ethical competencies (AlAfnan et al., 2024; Rao, 2018; Soomro et al., 2026); and adaptive learning and reskilling capabilities (Morandini, 2023; Mendoza-Chan & Pee, 2024). The contribution shifts the focus from technological systems to the competence architectures that sustain organizational readiness and enable sustainable governance in digital supply chains (Alsheibani et al., 2018; Jöhnk et al., 2021; Kumar et al., 2025).