Will AI replace me? The mechanism of employee AI challenge appraisal on Chinese employee career sustainability
摘要
Career sustainability (CS) and job crafting of workers collaborating with AI is challenging. However, whether AI challenge appraisals impact workers’ CS and job crafting in digitalized workplaces remains unknown. Drawing on stress cognitive appraisal theory, this study aims to ascertain whether the relationship between AI challenge appraisal and CS is mediated by job crafting and employment and whether this effect is moderated by digital leadership predictors. A total of 352 employees who collaborate with AI technology participated in a cross-sectional survey. Research has shown that employees positively impact challenge appraisals of AI and career sustainability. Job crafting and employability mediate the relationship between employees' challenge appraisals of AI and career sustainability. Digital leadership enhances the positive impact of employee AI challenge appraisals on job crafting and the positive effects of employee AI challenge appraisals on employability, thereby positively regulating the entire chain mediation effect. We discuss the theoretical contributions and practical implications for individuals and organizations.