IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/mgtdec/v46y2025i7p4056-4069.html

Artificial Intelligence and Enterprise Technological Innovation: Evidence From China

Author

Listed:
  • Yang Zhang
  • Yuexian Chang
  • Xiaolei Zhang
  • Haoyu Zhou

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the technological innovation (TI) of enterprises and explores its mechanisms of action based on data from Chinese enterprises. This study finds that AI significantly promotes enterprise TI. The reliability of these conclusions is validated through instrumental variable regression and robustness tests. Key mechanisms through which AI enhances enterprise innovation include total factor productivity (TFP) improvement, human capital structure optimization, and digital transformation. The level of internal R&D focus within enterprises plays a positive moderating role in the incentive effects of AI on TI. AI can not only enhance the quantity of technological innovation but also promote the diffusion of technology. Enterprises in the service industry exhibit stronger effects. Therefore, it is recommended that governments increase support for AI technologies, promote the integration of traditional industries, and improve talent training mechanisms. This would allow AI to play a more positive role in fostering enterprise TI and driving high‐quality economic development.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang Zhang & Yuexian Chang & Xiaolei Zhang & Haoyu Zhou, 2025. "Artificial Intelligence and Enterprise Technological Innovation: Evidence From China," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 46(7), pages 4056-4069, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:mgtdec:v:46:y:2025:i:7:p:4056-4069
    DOI: 10.1002/mde.70002
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/mde.70002
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/mde.70002?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yang Lu, 2019. "Artificial intelligence: a survey on evolution, models, applications and future trends," Journal of Management Analytics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 6(1), pages 1-29, January.
    2. Dwivedi, Yogesh K. & Hughes, Laurie & Ismagilova, Elvira & Aarts, Gert & Coombs, Crispin & Crick, Tom & Duan, Yanqing & Dwivedi, Rohita & Edwards, John & Eirug, Aled & Galanos, Vassilis & Ilavarasan, , 2021. "Artificial Intelligence (AI): Multidisciplinary perspectives on emerging challenges, opportunities, and agenda for research, practice and policy," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    3. Serguey Braguinsky & Atsushi Ohyama & Tetsuji Okazaki & Chad Syverson, 2021. "Product Innovation, Product Diversification, and Firm Growth: Evidence from Japan's Early Industrialization," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 111(12), pages 3795-3826, December.
    4. Tekic, Zeljko & Füller, Johann, 2023. "Managing innovation in the era of AI," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Xiao Han & Shumei Xiao & Jun Sheng & Guangtao Zhang, 2025. "RETRACTED ARTICLE: Enhancing Efficiency and Decision-Making in Higher Education Through Intelligent Commercial Integration: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 16(1), pages 1546-1582, March.
    2. Vikas Arya & Ankita Saraf & Nikolai Chichkanov & Armando Papa & Marco Romano, 2026. "AI-enhanced competency transfer hubs: a conceptual framework for university-industry engagement and knowledge sharing," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 51(2), pages 682-712, April.
    3. Jing Liu & Mengbo Wang & Xiaoling Kang & Xia Zhang & Xing Chen, 2022. "Seizing the opportunity window of artificial intelligence in China: Towards an innovation policy mix framework for emerging technologies from an evolution perspective," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(3), pages 397-414, May.
    4. Meenakshi Murugappan & Bavani Ramayah & Logaiswari Indiran & Jayakumar Raj, 2026. "AI Adoption among Manufacturing SMEs in Malaysia: Interview Insights from A TOE Perspective," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 10(4), pages 5769-5781, April.
    5. Ciurea Iulia-Cristina, 2024. "The Impact of the EU AI Act on the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 – A Text Analysis," Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, Paradigm, vol. 18(1), pages 2857-2870.
    6. Joan Torrent‐Sellens & Mihaela Enache‐Zegheru & Pilar Ficapal‐Cusí, 2025. "Promoting the European Sustainable Firm: How Economic, Social, and Green Innovation and the AI‐Based Technologies Create Pathways of Social and Environmental Sustainability," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(7), pages 9093-9119, November.
    7. Kashyap, Abhishek & Shukla, Om Ji & Kumar, Rupesh & Alam, Md Mahmudul & Oberoi, Sarbjit Singh, 2025. "Online retailing and the metaverse: Addressing stakeholder impediments in e-commerce," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    8. Ayala, Néstor Fabián & Rodrigues da Silva, Jassen & Cannarozzo Tinoco, Maria Auxiliadora & Saccani, Nicola & Frank, Alejandro G., 2025. "Artificial Intelligence capabilities in Digital Servitization: Identifying digital opportunities for different service types," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).
    9. Eunice Ngozi Ajuluchukwu & Usani Joseph Ofem & Stephen Undie & Mecry Akeke & Eno E. Elogbo & Fabian Ugbe Udida & Patricia Akwaya Olom & Mary Rose Eze & Bessong Bessong, 2026. "Exploring the impact of green human resource management practices enabled by artificial intelligence on organizational sustainability: the mediating roles of digital literacy and green organizational climate," International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 1-21, December.
    10. Borba, Rafael Lucas & de Paula Ferreira, Iuri Emmanuel & Bertucci Ramos, Paulo Henrique, 2024. "Addressing discriminatory bias in artificial intelligence systems operated by companies: An analysis of end-user perspectives," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    11. Samuel N. Kirshner, 2025. "Psychological Distance and Algorithm Aversion: Congruency and Advisor Confidence," Service Science, INFORMS, vol. 17(2-3), pages 74-91, June.
    12. Evangelos Katsamakas & Oleg V. Pavlov & Ryan Saklad, 2024. "Artificial intelligence and the transformation of higher education institutions," Papers 2402.08143, arXiv.org.
    13. Hong Jiang & Shuyu Sun & Hongtao Xu & Shukuan Zhao & Yong Chen, 2020. "Enterprises' network structure and their technology standardization capability in Industry 4.0," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(4), pages 749-765, July.
    14. Hongyu Chen & Jiachen Peng & Lufei Huang, 2025. "AIGC Technology in the Fintech Sector: An Analysis of Theme Evolution Based on the BERTopic Model," SAGE Open, , vol. 15(4), pages 21582440251, November.
    15. Woszczyna Karolina & Mania Karolina, 2023. "The European map of artificial intelligence development policies: a comparative analysis," International Journal of Contemporary Management, Sciendo, vol. 59(3), pages 78-87, September.
    16. Vincenzo Varriale & Antonello Cammarano & Francesca Michelino & Mauro Caputo, 2025. "Critical analysis of the impact of artificial intelligence integration with cutting-edge technologies for production systems," Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, Springer, vol. 36(1), pages 61-93, January.
    17. Chen, Pengyu & Chu, Zhongzhu & Zhao, Miao, 2024. "The Road to corporate sustainability: The importance of artificial intelligence," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    18. Yi Sun & Shihui Li & Lingling Yu, 2022. "The dark sides of AI personal assistant: effects of service failure on user continuance intention," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 32(1), pages 17-39, March.
    19. Jose Ramon Saura & Rita Bužinskienė, 2025. "Behavioral economics, artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship: an updated framework for management," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 1-33, December.
    20. Weidong Li & Yalin Qin & Changjie Chen & Meng Wang, 2025. "An investigation into personal data sensitivity in the Internet of Everything—insights from China," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-14, December.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:wly:mgtdec:v:46:y:2025:i:7:p:4056-4069. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/jhome/7976 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.