The Knowledge Management Practices and Firm Performance: The Moderating Role of Digital Human-AI Interaction in High-Tech Enterprises of China and Malaysia

This study investigates the relationship between knowledge management practices and firm performance in high-tech enterprises, with a particular focus on the moderating effect of digital human-AI interaction. Using panel data collected from 8,950 firm-year observations of Chinese and Malaysian high-tech enterprises from the CNRDS (Chinese Research Data Services) and CSMAR (China Stock Market & Accounting Research Database), this research empirically examines how knowledge sharing mechanisms influence organizational outcomes across different cultural and technological contexts. Our findings reveal that knowledge management practices significantly enhance firm performance metrics, with this relationship being positively moderated by the level of digital human-AI interaction implementation. The comparative analysis between Chinese and Malaysian firms demonstrates important contextual differences in knowledge utilization patterns, with Chinese firms showing stronger benefits from explicit knowledge management systems while Malaysian firms derive greater value from tacit knowledge sharing practices. Furthermore, firms exhibiting higher levels of AI integration in knowledge processes demonstrate superior performance improvements. This research contributes to the theoretical understanding of knowledge management in the era of AI and provides practical insights for managers in high-tech industries seeking to optimize their knowledge assets through technological advancement.