THE IMPACT OF GENERATIVE AI ADOPTION ON RESEARCH INNOVATION PERFORMANCE: EVIDENCE FROM CHINESE AND MONGOLIAN UNIVERSITY RESEARCHERS

Abstract

The rapid development of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is transforming university research activities and creating new opportunities for research innovation. This study investigates the relationship between GenAI Adoption and Research Innovation Performance among university researchers in China and Mongolia, with Knowledge Integration Capability as a mediating variable. Based on the Resource-Based View and Knowledge-Based View, a mediation model was developed and empirically tested. A quantitative survey was conducted, and data from 304 university researchers in China and Mongolia were analyzed using regression analysis, structural equation modeling, and Bootstrap mediation testing. The results indicate that GenAI Adoption positively influences Research Innovation Performance and significantly enhances Knowledge Integration Capability. Knowledge Integration Capability is also positively associated with Research Innovation Performance. Mediation analysis shows that Knowledge Integration Capability plays a significant mediating role, accounting for most of the total effect. Cross-national comparisons reveal different mediation patterns between the Chinese and Mongolian samples, while researchers in Mongolia report higher levels of Research Innovation Performance. The findings suggest that the benefits of GenAI are realized primarily through researchers’ ability to acquire, integrate, evaluate, and apply knowledge. This study contributes to the understanding of GenAI adoption in higher education and provides practical implications for researcher capability development, AI training, and responsible AI governance.