ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ANXIETY AND INNOVATIVE WORK BEHAVIOUR AMONG EMPLOYEES OF MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATION FIRMS IN RIVERS STATE

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between artificial intelligence anxiety and innovative work behaviour among employees of mobile telecommunication firms in Rivers State. Specifically, the study examined the relationships between job displacement anxiety, skill obsolescence anxiety, technological uncertainty anxiety and innovative work behaviour. The study was anchored on Conservation of Resources Theory and adopted a cross-sectional survey design. The accessible population comprised 140 employees of MTN Nigeria, Globacom, Airtel and T2 Mobile in Rivers State, while census sampling was adopted. Data were collected from respondents using a structured questionnaire and analysed using Spearman Rank Order Correlation Coefficient at the 0.01 level of significance. The findings revealed a significant negative relationship between job displacement anxiety and innovative work behaviour (ρ = −.587, p < .01). Skill obsolescence anxiety also demonstrated a significant negative relationship with innovative work behaviour (ρ = −.524, p < .01). Similarly, technological uncertainty anxiety had a significant negative relationship with innovative work behaviour (ρ = −.468, p < .01). The study concluded that artificial intelligence anxiety constitutes a significant psychological barrier to employees’ innovative work behaviour. Among others, the study recommends that management of mobile telecommunication firms should strengthen job security communication by clearly explaining how AI will complement rather than unnecessarily replace employees, thereby reducing job displacement anxiety and encouraging employees to participate actively in innovative activities; The firms should establish continuous AI-related training and reskilling programmes to equip employees with relevant digital competencies, reduce skill obsolescence anxiety and improve their confidence in generating, promoting and implementing new ideas