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Leveraging rituals to boost unity of employee-robot team

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Listed:
  • Liu, Xing (Stella)
  • Li, Xiaonan
  • Law, Rob

Abstract

Robot implementation in the workplace brings challenges for the employee management. This research explores how robots' involvement in organizational rituals shapes organizational culture dynamics. Five studies focusing on the employees in hospitality and tourism industries showed that a high level of robot involvement in organizational rituals cultivates organizational citizenship behavior and team cohesion. Because of the close psychological distance shaped by robot involvement in organizational rituals, human employees likely treat robots as in-group members and then show in-group favoritism to them, which is manifested by team cohesion and organizational citizenship behavior. These findings help illuminate how employees and robots work collaboratively in the hotel and tourism sectors and offer practical guidance for managing employee–robot relationships in the digital transformation.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Xing (Stella) & Li, Xiaonan & Law, Rob, 2025. "Leveraging rituals to boost unity of employee-robot team," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:anture:v:115:y:2025:i:c:s0160738325001471
    DOI: 10.1016/j.annals.2025.104041
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    References listed on IDEAS

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