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The Mixed Blessing of Leaders’ Artificial Intelligence (AI)-oriented Change Behavior: Implications for Employee Job Performance and Unethical Behavior

Author

Listed:
  • Guohua He

    (Shenzhen University)

  • Xinnian Zheng

    (Jinan University)

  • Wenpu Li

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Ling Tan

    (Guangdong University of Technology)

  • Siying Chen

    (Sun Yat-Sen University)

  • Yifan He

    (Hebei GEO University)

Abstract

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) has led many companies to embrace AI-oriented changes; leaders’ AI-oriented change behaviors have therefore become increasingly prevalent in contemporary organizations. However, knowledge on the effects of such behavior remains limited. Additionally, literature on change-oriented behavior (e.g., taking charge, change-oriented citizenship) has uniformly demonstrated that it is beneficial for employees, teams, and organizations. We challenge this consensus by revealing that leaders’ AI-oriented change behavior has mixed effects on employee outcomes. In Study 1, we developed a scale for leaders’ AI-oriented change behavior and assessed its psychometric properties using samples from the United States. In Study 2, we tested our full model with a three-wave, multi-source field study in China. The results show that leaders’ AI-oriented change behavior is positively associated with employee performance orientation, in turn increasing both employee job performance and unethical behaviors. Furthermore, employee trait competitiveness moderates the positive effect of leaders’ AI-oriented change behavior on employee job performance and unethical behavior via employee performance orientation. By revealing the perils and benefits of leaders’ AI-oriented change behavior, our research contributes to the literature on change-oriented behavior and performance orientation.

Suggested Citation

  • Guohua He & Xinnian Zheng & Wenpu Li & Ling Tan & Siying Chen & Yifan He, 2024. "The Mixed Blessing of Leaders’ Artificial Intelligence (AI)-oriented Change Behavior: Implications for Employee Job Performance and Unethical Behavior," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 19(2), pages 469-497, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ariqol:v:19:y:2024:i:2:d:10.1007_s11482-023-10250-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s11482-023-10250-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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