Revolutionizing Human Resource Development: A Theoretical Framework for Enhancing Effective Human–AI Collaboration

This study proposes a theoretical framework for fostering effective human-AI collaboration in the AI era by integrating the foundational principles of Affordance Actualization Theory (AAT), Event System Theory (EST), transformational theory, and transactional theory. These theories complement each other by linking the affordance of human-AI collaboration to both positive and negative reactions to AI's influence, ultimately leading to outcomes at individual, team, and organizational levels. Within this framework, the roles of transformational, transactional, and strategic mentorship as interventions in the framework are justified. By bringing personnel development perspectives into the domain of human-AI collaboration, this study concludes by discussing key implications and outlining a future research agenda for personnel training and education.

The past decade has brought advanced information technologies, which include electronic messaging systems, executive information systems, collaborative systems, group decision support systems, and other technologies that use sophisticated information management to enable multiparty participation in organization activities. Developers and users of these systems hold high hopes for their potential to change organizations for the better, but actual changes often do not occur, or occur inconsistently. We propose adaptive structuration theory (AST) as a viable approach for studying the role of advanced information technologies in organization change. AST examines the change process from two vantage points: (1) the types of structures that are provided by advanced technologies, and (2) the structures that actually emerge in human action as people interact with these technologies. To illustrate the principles of AST, we consider the small group meeting and the use of a group decision support system (GDSS). A GDSS is an interesting technology for study because it can be structured in a myriad of ways, and social interaction unfolds as the GDSS is used. Both the structure of the technology and the emergent structure of social action can be studied. We begin by positioning AST among competing theoretical perspectives of technology and change. Next, we describe the theoretical roots and scope of the theory as it is applied to GDSS use and state the essential assumptions, concepts, and propositions of AST. We outline an analytic strategy for applying AST principles and provide an illustration of how our analytic approach can shed light on the impacts of advanced technologies on organizations. A major strength of AST is that it expounds the nature of social structures within advanced information technologies and the key interaction processes that figure in their use. By capturing these processes and tracing their impacts, we can reveal the complexity of technology-organization relationships. We can attain a better understanding of how to implement technologies, and we may also be able to develop improved designs or educational programs that promote productive adaptations.

Information technologies that help to manage knowledge have a scientific and practical topicality. Among such technologies are web-based idea management systems (IMS). But there is little scientific evidence on how web-based IMS application materializes with in organizations and how they relate with organization effectiveness (OE). Authors of this paper aim to develop conceptual bases to fill this gap. The paper is based on an extensive review of literature about IMS, OE, and Adaptive Structuration Theory (AST). The aim is to develop a new research framework to explore how can the concepts – IMS, AST, OE, – be operationalized for empirical research to explore how IMS application and its results relate with OE and what are the main input and process elements in these relations? Based on a systematic literature review, that was analysed through content analysis technique and exploratory meta-analysis, authors created the adapted framework of AST for IMS context and proposed hypothesis. The paper contributes by developing detailed characterization of AST construct in webbased IMS application context on organizations. Authors propose theoretical guidance on how to explore the IMS impact on OE and expands the domain of outcomes of AST researching outcomes of web-based IMS by including OE dimensions.

:Adaptive structuration theory (AST) provides a sound basis from which to study the use of group support systems (GSS). The need for a theoretical approach such as AST is especially urgent because it helps explain the process of GSS use, thereby providing insights into the reasons for inconsistent research results. This paper illustrates the development of a research model based on AST, and reports the results of a study conducted on the basis of this model. The independent variables in the study were task and technology. The model’s process component was represented by the attitudes of group members toward the technology they used. The six attitude dimensions were obtained from AST as well as from other information technology researchers. The model was tested using the partial least squares (PLS) technique.

The impact of online communication on offline communication has received considerable research attention. Yet predominantly single level studies yield conflicting research findings and lack theoretical foundation. This study deviates from previous studies by developing a peer effect model rooted in Adaptive Structuration Theory (AST) in which the individual is embedded in social and technological structures. Offline communication is dependent on own online communication as well as the opportunities to connect with peers online. We argue that own online communication is only supplemental to offline communication if substitution is hampered by infrequent online communication of peers within the local environment as “it takes two to tango”. Furthermore, frequent online communication of peers within the local environment results in a reduction in offline communication among users and non-users, resulting in non-users’ social exclusion both online and offline. Our model predicts that substitution and exclusion effects become stronger as the internet is used for more divers forms of interactive communication. Results from our analysis using a multi-country dataset covering the years 2002 to 2012 provide empirical support for our model. We contribute to online communication literature with an AST perspective including on peer effects and technological change. Research and policy implications are discussed.

This research highlights the differences of the adoption of collaborative tools between one European and one emerging country in Asia. Based on the Adaptive Structuration Theory and the Technology Spirit concept, it uses a three dimensional model focused on both internal and external collaboration. 18 tools were surveyed in a sample of 75 managers of large companies with more than 1000 employees. The results show a wider external collaboration in the emerging country, particularly in the dimensions of actor’s satisfaction and flexible frontier. Internal collaboration is more developed in both countries, but mainly in the dimension of value creation. The paper illustrates and adapts the theory in a high tech web 2.0 environment. Managerial implications are suggested in collaboration practices and measurements.KeywordsCollaborative networkscollaborative toolscollaborative behaviortechnology adoptioncommunity managementweb 2.0

The Problem Adaptive structuration theory (AST) has had little to no attention within the human resource development (HRD) literature. It is important for HRD scholars and scholar-practitioners to be concerned with how new technology initiatives impact both the individual and the organization, equally. Unfortunately, new technologies are often introduced with no consideration of its utility to the agents expected to use these new technologies, causing incompatibilities and productivity losses. The Solution AST views the duality of structure between an organization’s structural features and its human agents. This perspective enables human agents when implementing new technologies and organizational change initiatives. Also, AST provides HRD scholars and scholar-practitioners with new insight into the interactions that take place during these change initiatives, providing support for current and future research efforts. The Stakeholders It would be beneficial for HRD scholars and scholar-practitioners involved with designing, evaluating, implementing, or managing technology in the workplace.

This paper presents a synthesis of the group support systems literature (GSS) with a focus on adaptive structuration theory (AST) and media richness theory (MRT). We analyze 23 papers that use either of these theories in constructing or empirically testing hypotheses and fit these works to a framework for conceptualizing group decision support systems as proposed by Peters [1]. We find that MRT is not robust with respect to empirical analyses, while AST is. We show that the extant literature is narrowly focused with respect to task and that the AST literature is lacking in investigations of the effects of social context cues.

Information- and communication technologies (ICT) raise opportunities for computer-supported communication and dispersed coordination and collaboration. These opportunities can make intra-organisational distributed coordination of coordination-intense organisational structures more effective and less expensive. However, these opportunities may be difficult to utilise. Our explorative case study at the Amsterdam Police Force confirms insights from prior research that deeply rooted organisational practices can ’make or break’ distributed coordination and ICT utilisation. Adaptive Structuration Theory (AST) provided a framework for these observations and shows that intra-organisational distributed coordination is a complex matter in which human factors have a major impact on ultimate results. Guided by insights from CSCW literature new coordination mechanisms were designed together with policemen in a participatory manner. This resulted in a set of interventions that were believed to improve intra-organisational distributed coordination. However, neither Adaptive Structuration Theory, nor Orlikowski et al.’s insights in CSCW mediation, could answer if and how the interplay of current practices and these inter- ventions would influence distributed coordination. For this purpose, we developed a simulation game to create a richer picture of future systemic interactions in computer supported distributed coordination in this particular organisation. This game enables us to investigate potential implementation problems of new ICT and to create organisational awareness for opportunities and pitfalls in distributed coordination. We argue that such a simulation game is a necessary step in a business-engineering project covering this wide variety of influencing factors on a social, organisational and technological level.

Information Systems Development as a Social Process: Fresh Seed Sown on the Ground of the Discussion

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to further adaptive structuration theory (AST) by associating technological appropriations with health information technology workarounds. The author argues that appropriating electronic health record (EHR) technology ironically – in a way other than it is designed to be used – and divergently across an organization results in enhanced perceptions of EHR technology and its implementation.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 345 healthcare employees in a single healthcare organization that was switching to EHRs from paper records. Two major constructs of AST – unfaithfulness and dissension in appropriation – were operationalized and analyzed using multivariate regressions to test the relationship between the type of appropriation and perceptions of EHR technology’s relative advantage and implementation success.FindingsResults reveal that both ironic (unfaithful) technological appropriation and dissension in technological appropriation across the organization predicted employees’ perceptions of EHR’s relative advantage and perceptions of EHR implementation success. Furthermore, physicians are the least likely to perceive EHR’s relative advantage or EHR implementation success. These results exemplify that EHR workarounds are taking place and reaffirm AST’s principle that employees evolve technology to better suit their working environments and preferences.Originality/valueThe survey and scales used in this study further demonstrate that there are meaningful statistical measures to accompany the qualitative methods frequently used in the AST literature. In addition, this paper expands AST research by exploring the positive outcomes that follow ironic and divergent technology appropriations.

Adaptive structuration theory (AST) provides a sound basis from which to study the use of group support systems (GSS). The need for a theoretical approach such as AST is especially urgent because it helps explain the process of GSS use, thereby providing insights into the reasons for inconsistent research results. The paper illustrates the development of a research model based on AST, and reports the results of a study conducted on the basis of this model. The independent variables in the study were task and technology. The model's process component was represented by the attitudes of group members toward the technology they used. The six attitude dimensions were obtained from AST as well as from other information technology researchers. The model was tested using the partial least squares (PLS) technique.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

Proper measurement is critical to the advancement of theory (Blalock 1979). Adaptive Structuration Theory (AST) is rapidly becoming an important theoretical paradigm for comprehending the impacts of advanced information technologies (DeSanctis and Poole 1994). Intended as a complement to the faithfulness of appropriation scale developed by Chin et al. (1997), this research note describes the development of an instrument to capture the AST construct of consensus on appropriation. Consensus on appropriation (COA) is the extent to which group participants perceive that they have agreed on how to adopt and use a technology. While consensus on appropriation is an important component of AST, no scale is currently available to capture this construct. This research note develops a COA instrument in the context of electronic meeting systems use. Initial item development, statistical analyses, and validity assessment (convergent, discriminant, and nomological) are described here in detail. The contribution of this effort is twofold: First, a scale is provided for an important construct from AST. Second, this report serves as an example of rigorous scale development using structural equation modeling. Employing rigorous procedures in the development of instruments to capture AST constructs is critical if the sound theoretical base provided by AST is to be fully exploited in understanding phenomena related to the use of advanced information technologies.

Enhancing health system research capacity can support improved quality care. This study assessed the research capacity of public local health district (LHD) and non-government organisation (NGO) alcohol and other drug (AOD) services, at the organisational, team and individual level. Research barriers and motivators were also examined. Staff from LHD and NGO AOD treatment services in New South Wales completed an online survey using the Research Capacity and Culture (RCC) tool. Overall median research capacity scores are presented for the RCC subscales (organisational, team and individual). Comparisons were conducted by service type (LHD/NGO), geographical location (metropolitan/rural) and affiliation with a research network (yes/no). Qualitative questions explored barriers and motivators to research at individual and team levels. Of 242 participants, 55% were LHD-based and 45% NGO-based. Overall RCC scores indicated moderate research capacity at all levels. Organisational capacity (Med = 6.50, interquartile range [IQR] = 3.50) scored significantly higher than the team (Med = 5.00, IQR = 6.00) and individual level (Med = 5.00, IQR = 4.25). No differences in RCC scores existed between NGOs and LHDs. Metropolitan AOD services scored higher research capacity at the organisational level (Med = 7.00, IQR = 3.00) than rural services (Med = 5.00, IQR = 5.00). LHDs affiliated with a research network scored significantly higher at the organisational, team and individual level than non-affiliated LHD services. Key research barriers were inadequate time and funding. Motivators included skill development and problem-identification requiring change. AOD services in New South Wales have moderate research capacity. Identified barriers and motivators can be used to target responses that enhance capacity and improve treatment outcomes.

Most theoretical perspectives used to explain the use and effects of communication and decision support technologies assume some form of technological determinism. Inconsistencies in the research findings have prompted theorists to reject the assumptions of technological determinism in favor of an emergent perspective. To date, only adaptive Structuration theory (AST) offers the promise of satisfying two requirements for explanation based on an emergent perspective: recursivity and unique effects. The current article reviews the application of AST to the study of a relatively recent technology in the work place—group decision support systems (GDSS). Next it discusses AST's challenge to capture, dynamically and precisely, GDSS processes and outcomes. In response to these concerns, self-organizing systems theory (SOST) is reviewed and applied to problematic areas in GDSS research with the aim of advancing AST.