Can Generative AI Improve Corporate Values, Employee Perceptions, and Organizational Practices? A Human-Centric Case Study of Project Management SMEs in Indonesia

This study investigates the growing role of generative AI tools, particularly ChatGPT, in the context of Indonesian SMEs, with a focus on their influence on SMEs values, employee perceptions, and organizational practices. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, the study combines a literature review, two industry workshops, and a survey involving 52 professionals from various sectors. The analysis integrates thematic interpretation of qualitative data with an exploratory quantitative assessment. The findings reveal that 74% of respondents reported mixed or negative attitudes toward AI adoption, mainly due to concerns related to job security and data privacy, even though many acknowledged its potential to enhance productivity and support business automation. Furthermore, 42% of participants perceived positive changes in corporate values following the introduction of AI tools, while strong agreement emerged regarding the usefulness of generative AI in business planning, monitoring and control, and organizational integration. Although several statistically significant relationships were identified, including differences in AI use across types of organizations and work functions, these results should be interpreted cautiously because of the limited sample size. Overall, the findings underscore the need for Indonesian SMEs to balance the efficiency gains offered by generative AI with ethical considerations, human supervision, and targeted capability development. This study contributes to the growing discussion on digital transformation by offering early empirical evidence on how generative AI is beginning to reshape managerial practices, employee responses, and organizational culture within SMEs in Indonesia.