Factors Shaping Artificial Intelligence Adoption in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Vietnam: A Context-Based Approach

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a core technology driving digital transformation; however, its adoption among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam remains limited and uneven. This study approaches the issue by explaining underlying mechanisms rather than merely listing influencing factors, drawing on the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework adapted to the SME context. Survey data from 230 firms were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings indicate that perceived benefits and top management support are the most significant drivers of AI adoption, while resource constraints act as structural barriers. The results suggest that AI adoption is not an automatic response to technological advancement but rather the outcome of strategic consideration under constrained conditions. This study contributes to clarifying the “conditional” nature of AI adoption and offers implications tailored to the Vietnamese context.