Systems

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25 pages, 956 KiB

Open AccessArticle

It’s Scary to Use It, It’s Scary to Refuse It: The Psychological Dimensions of AI Adoption—Anxiety, Motives, and Dependency

by Adi Frenkenberg and Guy Hochman

Systems 2025, 13(2), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13020082 - 29 Jan 2025

Viewed by 3426

Abstract

The current study examines the psychological factors shaping AI adoption, focusing on anxiety, motivation, and dependency. It identifies two dimensions of AI anxiety: anticipatory anxiety, driven by fears of future disruptions, and annihilation anxiety, reflecting existential concerns about human identity and autonomy. We [...] Read more.

The current study examines the psychological factors shaping AI adoption, focusing on anxiety, motivation, and dependency. It identifies two dimensions of AI anxiety: anticipatory anxiety, driven by fears of future disruptions, and annihilation anxiety, reflecting existential concerns about human identity and autonomy. We demonstrate a U-shaped relationship between AI anxiety and usage, where moderate engagement reduces anxiety, and high or low levels increase it. Perceived utility, interest, and attainment significantly correlate with AI engagement, while frequent AI usage is linked to high dependency but not to anxiety. These findings highlight the dual role of psychological factors in hindering and alleviating AI usage. This study enriches the understanding of emotional and motivational drivers in AI adoption and highlights the importance of balanced implementation strategies to foster sustainable and effective AI integration while mitigating the risks of over-reliance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Navigating Digital Transformation: Leadership and Decision Making in Today’s Systems)

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21 pages, 821 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Artificial Intelligence on Engineering Management Decision-Making with Mediating Role of Transformational Leadership

by Abdullah Abositta, Muri Wole Adedokun and Ayşen Berberoğlu

Systems 2024, 12(12), 570; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12120570 - 17 Dec 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2568

Abstract

The relationship between AI and management decision-making has received increasing attention in the literature, but the impact of AI on managerial decision-making through transformational leadership has not yet been thoroughly examined. Thus, this study investigates the impact of artificial intelligence on engineering management [...] Read more.

The relationship between AI and management decision-making has received increasing attention in the literature, but the impact of AI on managerial decision-making through transformational leadership has not yet been thoroughly examined. Thus, this study investigates the impact of artificial intelligence on engineering management decision-making through transformational leadership. The participants include 385 employees drawn from manufacturing, construction, and information technology firms in Turkey. The data were processed using WarpPLS (7.0), and the estimation was conducted with the use of “partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM)”. A positive and significant direct influence of “artificial intelligence” and “transformational leadership” on engineering management decision-making practices was demonstrated in this study, while transformational leadership was also found to have a significant mediating role in the relationship between artificial intelligence and engineering management decision-making practices. This study concluded with theoretical and practical implications for policymakers in the engineering industry by providing an integrated framework that allows for a nuanced examination of how AI impacts engineering management decision-making. It accounts for individual perceptions, leadership influences, and organizational adaptations, providing a comprehensive lens through which to analyze the complex interplay between AI technology, leadership, and decision-making processes in engineering management contexts. In addition, the findings of our study have significant implications for engineers and for governments creating standards to help preserve engineering businesses. Leaders and practitioners should research the instillation of values inherent to AI for an organization like engineering businesses to ensure that AI is being used to enable effective decision-making towards ensuring the accomplishment of their sustainable competitive advantage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Navigating Digital Transformation: Leadership and Decision Making in Today’s Systems)

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23 pages, 1653 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Improving Leadership in the Digital Era: A Case Study from Rural Mexico

by Jonatan Mireles-Hernández, Carmen F. Rey-Benguría, María L. Macedo-Lavanderos, Yenny Villuendas-Rey and Mario Aldape-Pérez

Systems 2024, 12(12), 559; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12120559 - 13 Dec 2024

Viewed by 968

Abstract

The development of leadership competencies is a current topic in the scientific community. The weaknesses detected in our study reflect the limited treatment offered to this area of work and the current struggle of rural elementary school directors in navigating the challenges of [...] Read more.

The development of leadership competencies is a current topic in the scientific community. The weaknesses detected in our study reflect the limited treatment offered to this area of work and the current struggle of rural elementary school directors in navigating the challenges of the digital era. The following methods and techniques were used at the theoretical and empirical levels: analytical–synthetic, historical–logical, inductive–deductive, systemic, documentary analysis, observation, surveys, interviews, and self-assessment scales. The systematized theory is based on the process of development of leadership competence in school directors as a dimension of educational quality. This research introduced a professional development strategy for the development of leadership competence in primary school directors consisting of three stages, with their objectives and actions contributing to raising the scientific methodological level of these management teams, including workshops, consultancies, accompaniments, and case studies, as well as monitoring their transformation. The proposed strategy improves the educational leadership skills of school principals, encourages mastery of content, and increases the degree of motivation and interest in management work. It is based on the diagnosis of their reality, and it includes the combination of improvement, methodological, and self-improvement actions to stimulate reflection and the active involvement of participants in their own transformation process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Navigating Digital Transformation: Leadership and Decision Making in Today’s Systems)

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17 pages, 1230 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Quiet Quitting on Turnover Intentions in the Era of Digital Transformation: The Mediating Roles of Job Satisfaction and Affective Commitment, and the Moderating Role of Psychological Safety

by Kwang Tae Kim and Young Woo Sohn

Systems 2024, 12(11), 460; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12110460 - 31 Oct 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4635

Abstract

This study examines the impact of “quiet quitting” during digital transformation on job satisfaction, affective commitment, and turnover intention. A time-lagged survey was conducted over six months with two waves of data collection from full-time employees in South Korea, resulting in 258 valid [...] Read more.

This study examines the impact of “quiet quitting” during digital transformation on job satisfaction, affective commitment, and turnover intention. A time-lagged survey was conducted over six months with two waves of data collection from full-time employees in South Korea, resulting in 258 valid responses. Using the PROCESS macro for analysis, the findings reveal that quiet quitting significantly reduces job satisfaction and affective commitment, which, in turn, increases turnover intention. Furthermore, psychological safety serves as a critical moderator, buffering the negative effects of quiet quitting on these outcomes. The study confirms that the influence of quiet quitting on turnover intention operates through the mediating roles of job satisfaction and affective commitment, and organizations with higher psychological safety are better equipped to mitigate these adverse effects. Grounded in Withdrawal Progression Theory, this study empirically demonstrates the progression of quiet quitting into turnover intention and provides strategic insights for organizations to prevent employee turnover and maintain employee engagement during digital transformation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Navigating Digital Transformation: Leadership and Decision Making in Today’s Systems)

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24 pages, 1407 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Relationship Between Ethical Leadership and Emotional Exhaustion in a Virtual Work Environment: A Moderated Mediation Model

by Carlos Santiago-Torner, José-Antonio Corral-Marfil and Elisenda Tarrats-Pons

Systems 2024, 12(11), 454; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12110454 - 26 Oct 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2649

Abstract

The role of ethical leadership in virtual settings is not yet clearly defined, but it may be the key to addressing employees’ emotional exhaustion. In addition, to prevent emotional exhaustion, it is important to determine the role of work autonomy and teleworking intensity. [...] Read more.

The role of ethical leadership in virtual settings is not yet clearly defined, but it may be the key to addressing employees’ emotional exhaustion. In addition, to prevent emotional exhaustion, it is important to determine the role of work autonomy and teleworking intensity. The present research examined how and when ethical leadership influences emotional exhaustion through work autonomy and teleworking intensity. Data collected from 448 workers in the Colombian electrical sector were analyzed using a SEM moderated mediation model. The results indicate a positive relationship between ethical leadership and emotional exhaustion mediated by work autonomy. The results also show that teleworking intensity moderates the mediation process. Specifically, the positive impact of ethical leadership on emotional exhaustion stopped when teleworking intensity was high. Likewise, high teleworking intensity intensified the positive relationship between ethical leadership and work autonomy. Finally, high teleworking intensity dampened the positive relationship between work autonomy and emotional exhaustion. In conclusion, working virtually five days a week is a strategy that amplifies the leader-member relationship and becomes an advantage to effectively combat emotional exhaustion. The results obtained in this research are particularly relevant because they show for the first time that ethical leadership can have opposite effects on employees’ emotional exhaustion, both positive and negative, depending on the number of days teleworked, thus contributing to a new understanding of the characteristics of the ethical leader in a virtual environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Navigating Digital Transformation: Leadership and Decision Making in Today’s Systems)

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21 pages, 1093 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Machine Learning on Enhancing Rational Decision-Making and Trust Levels in e-Government

by Ayat Mohammad Salem, Serife Zihni Eyupoglu and Mohammad Khaleel Ma’aitah

Systems 2024, 12(9), 373; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12090373 - 16 Sep 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3204

Abstract

The rapid growth in the use of AI techniques, mainly machine learning (ML), is revolutionizing different industries by significantly enhancing decision-making processes through data-driven insights. This study investigates the influence of using ML, particularly supervised and unsupervised learning, on rational decision-making (RDM) within [...] Read more.

The rapid growth in the use of AI techniques, mainly machine learning (ML), is revolutionizing different industries by significantly enhancing decision-making processes through data-driven insights. This study investigates the influence of using ML, particularly supervised and unsupervised learning, on rational decision-making (RDM) within Jordanian e-government, focusing on the mediating role of trust. By analyzing the experiences of middle-level management within e-government in Jordan, the findings underscore that ML positively impacts the rational decision-making process in e-government. It enables more efficient and effective data gathering, improves the accuracy of data analysis, enhances the speed and accuracy of evaluating decision alternatives, and improves the assessment of potential risks. Additionally, this study reveals that trust plays a critical role in determining the effectiveness of ML adoption for decision-making, acting as a pivotal mediator that can either facilitate or impede the integration of these technologies. This study provides empirical evidence of how trust not only enhances the utilization of ML but also amplifies its positive impact on governance. The findings highlight the necessity of cultivating trust to ensure the successful deployment of ML in public administration, thereby enabling a more effective and sustainable digital transformation. Despite certain limitations, the outcomes of this study offer substantial insights for researchers and government policymakers alike, contributing to the advancement of sustainable practices in the e-government domain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Navigating Digital Transformation: Leadership and Decision Making in Today’s Systems)

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27 pages, 7779 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of 4IR-5IR Leadership-Management in the Adoption of Formal Methods

by John Andrew van der Poll

Systems 2024, 12(8), 306; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12080306 - 18 Aug 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2151

Abstract

Formal methods (FMs) have been cited as a viable methodology for developing high-quality software. However, the steep learning curve in efficiently using the underlying discrete mathematics and logic has hindered FMs’ adoption, leading to a decline in their initial interest in the 1980s. [...] Read more.

Formal methods (FMs) have been cited as a viable methodology for developing high-quality software. However, the steep learning curve in efficiently using the underlying discrete mathematics and logic has hindered FMs’ adoption, leading to a decline in their initial interest in the 1980s. Traditionally, technical approaches have been pursued to address the FMs challenge. Having taken cognisance of a similar pre-4IR decline in AI, the researcher views FMs as technology and considers solutions at intersections of 4IR-5IR technology adoption, leveraged by the support of governors, termed leadership-management in this work. Following a qualitative research choice, scholarly literature is reviewed, and sets of qualitative propositions are defined to develop a conceptual framework for a 4IR-5IR leadership-management adoption of FMs. Aspects that emerged and are incorporated into the framework are cross-functional and executive levels of leadership, transformative, adaptive, and servant leadership styles, using FM tools that embed a high level of user experience, and 4IR technologies, augmented with 5IR human aspects. The framework is hoped to motivate a company’s leadership to contribute to technology and technical ICT-based decision-making increasingly. Future work in this area would involve securing input from practitioners and exercising the framework in an industrial setting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Navigating Digital Transformation: Leadership and Decision Making in Today’s Systems)

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17 pages, 717 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring Intrinsic Motivation and Mental Well-Being in Private Higher Educational Systems: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Fayyaz Qureshi, Sarwar Khawaja, Katarina Sokić, Mirjana Pejić Bach and Maja Meško

Systems 2024, 12(8), 281; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12080281 - 2 Aug 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2899

Abstract

In the realm of digital transformation, effective leadership and motivation are pivotal for organisations navigating the complexities of today’s systems. This study explores the intersection of intrinsic motivation and mental well-being among mature students—an analogy that sheds light on strategies applicable to organisational [...] Read more.

In the realm of digital transformation, effective leadership and motivation are pivotal for organisations navigating the complexities of today’s systems. This study explores the intersection of intrinsic motivation and mental well-being among mature students—an analogy that sheds light on strategies applicable to organisational contexts. In developed nations like the UK, mental health for mature students is increasingly recognised as a crucial component of their educational journey. Mature students, who typically enrol in higher education after an educational gap and upon turning 21, often face specific challenges that can impact their mental well-being while pursuing academic goals. The primary objective of our study was to assess the relationship between intrinsic motivation and the mental well-being of mature students. The study included 248 full-time undergraduate mature students enrolled in private higher education institutions in the UK. These participants were 21 years and older. The research employed two measurement scales: the four-item Intrinsic Motivation Scale, adapted from Jaramillo, and the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale. Data collection utilised online Google Forms with multiple choice self-report formatted questions, and our analysis involved both descriptive and inferential statistics. Our research revealed a significant positive correlation between variables of intrinsic motivation and mental well-being. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) results confirmed the construct in the model. The results indicated that intrinsic motivation significantly predicts mental well-being among mature students (Cohen’s effect size value, f² = 0.54). Recognising and addressing the unique difficulties individuals encounter and providing appropriate support can enhance their well-being and contribute to the overall success of the higher education community. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Navigating Digital Transformation: Leadership and Decision Making in Today’s Systems)

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