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In the AI of the Beholder—A Qualitative Study of HR Professionals’ Beliefs about AI-Based Chatbots and Decision Support in Candidate Pre-Selection

Author

Listed:
  • Christine Malin

    (Business Analytics and Data Science-Center, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria)

  • Cordula Kupfer

    (Institute of Psychology, Work and Organizational Psychology, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria)

  • Jürgen Fleiß

    (Business Analytics and Data Science-Center, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria)

  • Bettina Kubicek

    (Institute of Psychology, Work and Organizational Psychology, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria)

  • Stefan Thalmann

    (Business Analytics and Data Science-Center, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria)

Abstract

Despite the high potential of artificial intelligence (AI), its actual adoption in recruiting is low. Explanations for this discrepancy are scarce. Hence, this paper presents an exploratory interview study investigating HR professionals’ beliefs about AI to examine their impact on use cases and barriers and to identify the reasons that lead to the non-adoption of AI in recruiting. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 HR professionals from 21 companies. The results revealed that HR professionals’ beliefs about AI could be categorised along two dimensions: (1) the scope of AI and (2) the definition of instruction. “Scope of Al” describes the perceived technical capabilities of AI and determines the use cases that HR professionals imagine. In contrast, the “definition of instruction” describes the perceived effort to enable an AI to take on a task and determines how HR professionals perceive barriers to Al. Our findings suggest that HR professionals’ beliefs are based on vague knowledge about AI, leading to non-adoption. Drawing on our findings, we discuss theoretical implications for the existing literature on HR and algorithm aversion and practical implications for managers, employees, and policymakers.

Suggested Citation

  • Christine Malin & Cordula Kupfer & Jürgen Fleiß & Bettina Kubicek & Stefan Thalmann, 2023. "In the AI of the Beholder—A Qualitative Study of HR Professionals’ Beliefs about AI-Based Chatbots and Decision Support in Candidate Pre-Selection," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-19, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jadmsc:v:13:y:2023:i:11:p:231-:d:1270392
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Babu George & Ontario Wooden, 2023. "Managing the Strategic Transformation of Higher Education through Artificial Intelligence," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-20, August.
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