The Impact of Artificial Intelligence Technology on the Growth of SRDI Firms:The Moderating Effect of Technological Sophistication and Internationalization

Abstract

Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) technology, as an important driving force of new-quality productivity, has become an important force in promoting the intelligent transformation and sustainable growth of specialized, refined, differentiated and innovative (SRDI) firms. Based on situated AI capability theory, this paper empirically studies the impact of AI technology on the growth of enterprises by taking SRDI firms listed in A-share market from 2014 to 2022 as samples. The results show that AI technology negatively affects the current growth of SRDI firms, but technological sophistication and internationalization can effectively alleviate the negative impact of AI technology on the growth of firms. Mechanism analysis reveals that while AI adoption facilitates routine restructuring, it simultaneously increases factor inputs, triggers strategic change, and reduces operational efficiency, thereby hindering firm growth. Heterogeneity tests further show that the negative impact of AI is more pronounced in SRDI firms that are in high-tech industries, have high labor costs per employee, exhibit low levels of digitalization, or are smaller in scale. This study reveals the actual challenges and potential advantages of SRDI firms during their AI technology adoption, promotes the deepening of the growth theory of SRDI firms in the AI era, and enriches the research on AI technology adoption from the perspective of situated AI capability.

Key words: SRDI firms, firm growth, artificial intelligence technology, technological sophistication, scene diversity

Wu Bo, Wu Peijun, Wu Aiqi, Dai Yuxuan. The Impact of Artificial Intelligence Technology on the Growth of SRDI Firms:The Moderating Effect of Technological Sophistication and Internationalization[J]. Management Review, 2026, 38(9): 118-129.

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