Artificial Intelligence and Export Performance in Small and Micro-Enterprises: The Roles of Internal Capability and External Tools

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly adopted by small and micro-enterprises to enhance international competitiveness. However, limited research examines how internal AI capability and external AI tool utilization jointly shape export performance. Drawing on the resource-based view and digital resource configuration perspective, this study conceptualizes internal AI capability and external AI tool utilization as distinct but potentially overlapping AI-related resources. Using survey data from 475 exporting small and micro-enterprises in Yiwu International Trade City, we conduct regression analyses to investigate the individual and interactive effects of these two AI-related resources on export performance. The results indicate that both internal AI capability and external AI tool utilization positively affect export performance. Importantly, their interaction is negative and significant, suggesting diminishing marginal returns when both resources are highly developed. This finding indicates that overlapping AI-related investments may reduce each resource’s incremental contribution under resource-constrained conditions. By clarifying how internally developed AI capability and externally accessed AI tools interact in export settings, this study advances understanding of digital resource configuration and provides practical guidance for AI-related investment decisions in small firms.