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In emerging economies such as Vietnam, these challenges highlight the importance
of policy frameworks that support digital transformation, innovation, and skill
development. Overall, the literature indicates strong interconnections between AI
adoption, innovation capability, and export competitiveness, but integrated frameworks
incorporating institutional factors remain underdeveloped.
3. Conceptual framework and research approach
This study proposes a conceptual framework in which artificial intelligence (AI)
adoption functions as a technological driver, innovation capability serves as a mediating
mechanism, and institutional alignment acts as a moderating factor influencing export
competitiveness.
AI adoption enhances firms’ data processing capacity, predictive analytics
capabilities, and decision-making efficiency (Brynjolfsson & McAfee, 2014; Acemoglu &
Restrepo, 2018). However, technological adoption alone does not guarantee improved
export performance. The ability of firms to translate technological inputs into value-
added outputs depends on their innovation capability (Schumpeter, 1934; Teece et al.,
1997).
In this framework, innovation capability mediates the relationship between AI
adoption and export competitiveness. Firms that integrate AI into research and
development, production processes, and market intelligence are more likely to achieve
sustained competitiveness in international markets (Cockburn et al., 2018; Aghion et al.,
2021).
Institutional alignment moderates this relationship. Supportive regulatory
environments, digital infrastructure, and policy coherence strengthen the impact of AI
adoption on innovation outcomes, whereas fragmented institutional structures may
constrain transformation (Lundvall, 1992; OECD, 2023).
The analytical model is summarized as follows:
AI Adoption → Innovation Capability → Export Competitiveness
(Moderated by Institutional and Policy Environment)

Moderating Factors:
• Digital Infrastructure
• Human Capital Development
• Government Policy Support

Figure 1. Conceptual framework illustrating the relationship between AI adoption,
innovation capability, and export competitiveness in Vietnamese export-oriented
enterprises
Source: Developed by the author based on Brynjolfsson & McAfee (2014), OECD (2023),
and World Bank (2021).

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