Economic Turbulence and Organizational AI Use in MSMEs: The Competing Roles of Perceived Benefits and Risks

Artificial intelligence (AI) may support adaptation in micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) facing economic uncertainty. This study examines a dual-pathway appraisal framework using a cross-sectional survey of 537 respondents reporting on Chinese MSMEs already using AI. The outcome represents the extent of organizational AI use rather than initial adoption or continuance intention. Confirmatory factor analysis and latent-variable structural equation modeling were conducted with 5000 case-bootstrap resamples. The specification adds familiarity–appraisal paths and a benefit–risk residual covariance. Economic turbulence was positively associated with perceived benefits, which were positively associated with AI use. The specific indirect association through benefits was significant (B = 0.058, 95% CI [0.013, 0.118]), whereas the risk-mediated association was not. Perceived risks were negatively associated with AI use. Familiarity was positively associated with use and risks, but its association with benefits was nonsignificant. The direct turbulence–use association was nonsignificant; the total association was positive and significant (B = 0.209, 95% CI [0.047, 0.371]). The model explained 70.6% of the variance in AI use (CFI = 0.997; RMSEA = 0.014; SRMR = 0.021). The findings identify asymmetric appraisal associations among existing AI users; the cross-sectional design does not establish causal ordering.