Impact of AI-Enabled Techno-Pedagogical special education competency (AI-TPSEC) in Indian MSME: The Mediating role of inclusive skill development and Employee Productivity

Abstract

MSME is a crucial segment that contributes 30.10% of GDP, 36% to manufacturing output, 45% to export & 2nd largest employer after Agriculture by employing 24.40 crore people in Indian Economy. The study develops an integrated framework linking entrepreneurial AI-Enabled Techno-Pedagogical special educational competency (AI-TPCSE) to MSME economic performance, focusing on disability-inclusive employment; it uses a mixed-methods design with questionnaires from 320 MSME entrepreneurs in Maharashtra and Odisha with SEM (AMOS) analysis. Results show a positive relationship between TPCSE and firm performance, supported by strong reliability and validity metrics (Cronbach’s α = 0.907, AVE = 0.788, CR = 0.888), and indicate that workplace skill development and employee productivity mediate this effect. The findings extend special-education research into post-education employment and suggest policy and training interventions to strengthen inclusive HR practices, entrepreneurial training, and MSME competitiveness. The study further highlights the relevance of techno-pedagogical competence for emerging AI-enabled workplace learning and inclusive human–AI interaction in MSMEs.