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Artificial intelligence

AI-Induced Stress and Knowledge Hiding Behavior in Organizational Settings

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A recent study by researchers from Shanghai University has shed light on the complex relationship between artificial intelligence awareness and knowledge hiding behavior in the workplace. The researchers conducted a survey of 311 employees from various industries in China, investigating the psychological drivers of knowledge hiding behavior under AI-induced stress. The study found that AI awareness is positively correlated with knowledge hiding behavior, with psychological availability playing a partial mediating role. Moreover, person-organization fit was found to moderate the relationship between AI awareness and psychological availability, with a stronger fit between employees and the organization weakening the negative impact of AI awareness on psychological availability.

Key Takeaways:

  • AI awareness is positively correlated with knowledge hiding behavior, with a significant effect size of 0.322 (p < 0.001).
  • Psychological availability plays a partial mediating role between AI cognition and knowledge hiding, explaining 22% of the variance in knowledge hiding behavior.
  • Person-organization fit moderates the relationship between AI awareness and psychological availability, with a stronger fit between employees and the organization weakening the negative impact of AI awareness on psychological availability.
  • The study tested the mediating effect of psychological availability between AI cognition and knowledge hiding, as well as the moderating role of person-organization fit in this process using structural equation modeling (SEM).
  • The research highlights the importance of person-organization fit in mitigating the negative effects of technological change on knowledge sharing challenges.
  • The Conservation of Resources Theory and Social Identity Theory were integrated to provide practical recommendations for organizations managing knowledge sharing challenges in AI-driven environments.

Statistics:

  • 311 employees from various industries in China participated in the survey (response rate: 80%).
  • The survey was analyzed using SPSS 27.0, PROCESS 4.0, and AMOS 29.0.
  • The study used structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the relationships among AI cognition, psychological availability, person-organization fit, and knowledge hiding.
  • The effect size of AI awareness on knowledge hiding behavior was significant (0.322, p < 0.001).
  • The mediating effect of psychological availability explained 22% of the variance in knowledge hiding behavior.

Sources:

  • When robot knocks, knowledge locks: how and when does AI awareness affect employee knowledge hiding?. Frontiers in Psychology, 2025, 16.
  • (Frontiers in Psychology - http://frontiersin.org/psychology)
  • Frontiers Media S.A (Publisher)
  • https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1627999

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