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How does digital intelligence drive the SRDI development of SMEs? Evidence from Chinese-style niche enterprises

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  • Bai, Jingkun
  • Qu, Guimin

Abstract

With the advent of the digital intelligence (DI) era, DI has become an important strategic opportunity for SMEs to realize the development of specialization, refinement, distinctiveness or innovation (SRDI). However, there is still a significant gap in the research on the specific mechanism of how DI drives the SRDI development of SMEs. Taking 667 Chinese listed SRDI SMEs from 2012 to 2022 as samples, the text analysis method is used to construct the DI and SRDI indicators and explore the mechanism of DI drives the SRDI development of SMEs. The research finds that DI can drive the SRDI development of SMEs; Mechanism analysis reveals that DI through four mechanisms: vertical division of labor, quality management, product competitiveness, and R&D structure, propelling SMEs towards specialization, refinement, distinctiveness and innovation respectively; Heterogeneity analysis shows that for little giant and SOE, the driving effect of DI is more pronounced, and its mechanism comes from the promoting effect of open innovation and political relevance. This study provides a new perspective for understanding the relationship between DI and SRDI, which has strategic significance for policy makers and entrepreneurs to promote the development of SRDI in SMEs.

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  • Bai, Jingkun & Qu, Guimin, 2025. "How does digital intelligence drive the SRDI development of SMEs? Evidence from Chinese-style niche enterprises," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 219(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:219:y:2025:i:c:s0040162525002914
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2025.124260
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