Reviewing the Roles of Artificial Intelligence-Based Technologies in Sustainable Purchasing and Supply Management: Research propositions for future Directions

Traditional purchasing and supply management (PSM) practices has primarily focused on cost optimization and transactional performance. However, sustainable purchasing and supply management (SPSM) broadens this perspective by incorporating social, economic, and environmental dimensions into procurement processes. Implementing such multidimensional objectives is complex, as PSM functions serve as interfaces among multiple organizational stakeholders across supply networks. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a pivotal enabler of this transformation, offering capabilities in data-driven decision-making, supplier assessment, and risk mitigation. This study undertakes a systematic examination of 183 peer-reviewed journal articles sourced from Scopus and Web of Science to investigate the intersection of AI and SPSM. Through a combined bibliometric and structural topic modeling approach, the review uncovers ten dominant research themes and traces the progression of AI applications across SPSM domains. The analysis culminates in the formulation of a conceptual framework that aligns AI technologies with the tactical and operational phases of procurement. In doing so, it identifies the opportunities associated with AI integration in sustainable purchasing practices. The review concludes by outlining research propositions and recommending future inquiries into adaptive, context sensitive AI governance for sustainability-oriented supply management.