AI technologies affording the orchestration of ecosystem-based business models: the moderating role of AI knowledge spillover

Due to the extraordinary capacity of artificial intelligence (AI) to process rich information from various sources, an increasing number of enterprises are using AI for the development of ecosystem-based business models (EBMs) that require better orchestration of multiple stakeholders for a dynamic, sustainable balance among people, planet, and profit. However, empirical evidence remains scarce. Adopting the affordance perspective—treating AI technology as an object within the EBM use context—this study examines how and whether AI technologies afford the orchestration of EBMs. Using data from Chinese A-share listed companies (2014–2021), findings show an inverted U-shaped relationship between AI and EBM, moderated by knowledge spillover. The results advance understanding of AI’s role in configuring EBMs and reveal mechanisms linking AI to business practices with societal concerns.