Fear of AI Taking Over: A Licence to Slack Off? The Impact of STARA Awareness on Employees’ Time Banditry Behaviour
Fear of AI Taking Over: A Licence to Slack Off? The Impact of STARA Awareness on Employees’ Time Banditry Behaviour
Yi Li,Juhui Geng
TLDR
A moderated dual-mediation model is developed to investigate how STARA awareness influences employees’ time banditry behaviour through challenge and threat appraisals and the moderating role of prevention focus is examined.
Abstract
The rapid advancement of smart technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, and algorithms (STARA) has created uncertainties regarding employees’ job security and career prospects. Drawing on challenge–hindrance stressor theory and data from a two-wave survey of 319 corporate employees, this study develops a moderated dual-mediation model to investigate how STARA awareness influences employees’ time banditry behaviour through challenge and threat appraisals. It also examines the moderating role of prevention focus. The findings offer theoretical insights into the mechanisms and boundary conditions through which STARA awareness affects time banditry and provides practical guidance for organisations navigating employee responses during technological transitions.