Examining the impact of artificial intelligence on physicians' performance: mediating effects of innovative work behavior and skills enhancement

Purpose While prior studies have explored artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in various sectors, the specific impact on employee performance in healthcare organizations remains underexamined, particularly regarding the mediating roles of innovative work behavior and skills enhancement. This study critically investigates whether AI adoption genuinely enhances employee performance or if its effects are overstated, scrutinizing the extent to which innovative work behavior and skills development mediate this relationship in a developing context fraught with technological and resource constraints. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative approach was employed, using a structured questionnaire to collect data from 240 healthcare professionals across healthcare organizations. Stratified random sampling was used to ensure equitable representation across medical directors, heads of departments, attending physicians and fellows. The study utilized SmartPLS for structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the mediation model, analyzing the relationships between AI adoption, innovative work behavior, skills enhancement and employee performance. Findings The results reveal a significant positive relationship between AI adoption and employee performance, with innovative work behavior and skills enhancement acting as mediators. Specifically, AI adoption enhances innovative work behavior and skills development, which in turn positively influence employee performance. Originality/value This study integrates socio-technical systems theory and resource-based view theory to examine the mediating effects of innovative work behavior and skills enhancement in the context of AI adoption in healthcare. By providing empirical evidence from a developing context with specific challenges, the research enriches understanding of how AI adoption impacts employee performance in diverse healthcare settings. The findings highlight the critical role of user perceptions and skill development in the successful implementation of AI technologies.