Evolutionary Theory of “Specialized, Refined, and Innovative” Enterprises in the AI Era: How Digital Resilience Reshapes Corporate Moats

Abstract

In the deep-water zone of the global digital economy in 2026, the survival rules for “Specialized, Refined, and Innovative” SMEs are undergoing a fundamental shift. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has evolved from an efficiency tool into a “digital foundation” that anchors corporate positions amidst uncertainty. This paper examines the new commercial paradigm of “digital resilience” through empirical research on 312 representative enterprises in the Greater Bay Area and case studies of hard-tech leaders in Beijing. Findings indicate that AI adoption significantly enhances a firm’s ability to perceive and recover from supply chain shocks. The study concludes that the integration of industry deep-plowing and AI investment creates an asymmetric competitive advantage, forming a “flexible moat” for sustainable growth.