ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ADOPTION IN ENTERPRISES: A LAYERED CAPABILITY FRAMEWORK FOR EMERGING ECONOMIES
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly recognized as a foundational technology for enterprise competitiveness in the digital economy. However, limited research explains how AI capabilities create enterprise value in emerging economies with uneven digital readiness. This study synthesizes the mechanisms of AI-driven value creation and examines structural barriers to enterprise AI adoption in Vietnam. Using a qualitative conceptual research design based on secondary data, the study integrates the Resource-Based View (RBV) with a four-layer AI framework covering data, algorithms, infrastructure, and applications. The findings suggest that AI creates enterprise value through cognitive automation, decision intelligence, and business model innovation, but their effectiveness depends on data governance, digital leadership, human capital, financial readiness, and regulatory support. In Vietnam, adoption is constrained by fragmented data systems, shortages of skilled AI professionals, limited SME investment capacity, and evolving governance frameworks. This study contributes a conceptual synthesis linking AI capability layers to enterprise value creation and provides implications for managers and policymakers seeking to accelerate responsible AI adoption.