Artificial intelligence technology empowers firms’ export performance: does TMT human capital matter?

Purpose Although the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) technology on firms’ strategic choices and performance has attracted considerable scholarly attention, how it influences firm export performance and how top management team (TMT) human capital moderates this relationship remain to be systematically explored. This study aims to integrate the competency-based view and upper echelons theory to address these critical research questions. Design/methodology/approach On the basis of the empirical data of Chinese listed companies from 2009 to 2023 (involving 1,404 listed companies and 7,580 years-firm observations), we empirically examine our theoretical viewpoints using the fixed effects model. Findings First, we find that AI technology enhances firms’ export performance. Second, both the overseas background and the digital background of the TMT strengthen the positive impact of AI technology on firms’ export performance. Surprisingly, but interestingly, the TMT’s education level has no moderating effect on this relationship. Originality/value This study introduces TMT human capital as a moderating variable to explore the relationship between AI technology and firms’ export performance in depth. From this perspective, we not only reveal the strategic significance of TMT human capital in the implementation of AI technology and its correlation with export performance but also provide an analytical framework that integrates technological capabilities and TMT characteristics in the field of international marketing.