Strategic Planning in Moroccan SMEs in the Era of Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Limitations

Abstract

In the case of Moroccan SMEs, the literature underscores persistent challenges in implementing structured planning processes, largely due to limited access to strategic information. However, the development of effective strategies requires accurate data on the competitive, technological, economic, and regulatory environment, whose collection and processing have long been reserved for large firms because of the associated costs and technological requirements. The growing adoption of artificial intelligence helps to alleviate these constraints by providing SMEs with analytical tools that enhance access to information, structure analyses, and improve strategic foresight capabilities. From this perspective, this article examines the effects of AI on managerial practices in SMEs, with particular attention to the shift from short-term, reactive management toward medium and long-term strategic planning. In the Moroccan context, where SMEs play a central role in the economic fabric, public support appears crucial in promoting digitalization and AI adoption, strengthening firms’ flexibility, and narrowing the gap with large companies, thereby contributing to more inclusive and sustainable economic development.