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Robot anthropomorphism and job insecurity: The role of social comparison

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  • Wang, Phyllis Xue
  • Kim, Sara
  • Kim, Minki

Abstract

The rapid adoption of robots in workplaces has raised concerns among employees who view the robots as a potential threat to their job security. This study therefore aims to provide valuable insights into this psychologically and managerially important issue from a design perspective. In particular, this study examines how to alleviate employees’ concerns about job insecurity resulting from the adoption of robots. Across seven studies with different samples, we showed that the humanlike features of robots in the workplace increase employees’ perceived job insecurity, because these features increase their engagement in social comparison with robots. This research contributes to the literature on job insecurity, robot anthropomorphism, and social comparison. Moreover, this research provides important managerial implications for the design of robots in the workplace in light of employees’ job insecurity as a result of robots in the workplace.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Phyllis Xue & Kim, Sara & Kim, Minki, 2023. "Robot anthropomorphism and job insecurity: The role of social comparison," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:164:y:2023:i:c:s0148296323003612
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.114003
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. 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).
    2. Liu, Shengmin & Mei, Yu, 2026. "How does artificial intelligence adoption shape employee performance? A novel exploration of mimetic artificial intelligence performance through a hybrid approach based on PLS-SEM and ANN," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    3. Choi, Sungwoo & Wan, Lisa C. & Mattila, Anna S., 2024. "Unintended indulgence in robotic service encounters," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    4. Chao Li & Zhanjun Xing & Xiang Li & Liping Chen, 2026. "How Does Automation in the Workplace Impact Workers’ Happiness? Disentangling the Competing Mechanisms Through Income Shock and Reduced Working Time," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 27(2), pages 1-41, February.
    5. Sindhwani, Rahul & Pereira, Vijay & Sampat, Brinda & Shankar, Amit & Nigam, Achint & Salwan, Prashant, 2025. "Exploring barriers to social robot adoption: A mixed-method study in the Indian retail sector," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
    6. Wang, Wen & Han, Wang-Zhe, 2025. "Do industrial robots bring happiness? The moderating role of public trust," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 380-398.
    7. Li, Chao & Lao, Wenyu & Li, Xiang & Zhang, Yuhan, 2024. "Automated workforce, financial precarities and family consumption: The importance of demand-side policies under the background of automation applications," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 1287-1308.
    8. Yang Shen & Xiuwu Zhang, 2024. "The impact of artificial intelligence on employment: the role of virtual agglomeration," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-14, December.
    9. Fangyuan Chen & Yuting Pang & Lili Wang, 2026. "From Stigma to Acceptance: Ethical Implications of Anthropomorphic Design in Healthcare Chatbots," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 203(3), pages 507-529, January.
    10. Lin, Xinyue & Meng, Liang & Chen, Lei, 2025. "Reaffirming oneself: Exploring how artificial intelligence introduction drives employee approach crafting through a self-affirmation lens," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).

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