We are excited to announce that Bob Everson has successfully passed his dissertation proposal defense and is now All But Dissertation (ABD)! Congratulations to Bob on this important milestone.

Proposal Topic:

Coping with AI Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace: Exploring Employee Attitudes and Behaviors in the Future of Work

Abstract:

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies continue to transform the workplace, employees encounter evolving job roles, changing job expectations, and increasing uncertainty that are attributes of the emerging “Future of Work.”  AI provides many benefits, including enhanced productivity and operational efficiency, but it also presents challenges related to job security, job skill displacement, and workforce adaptation.

This research explores how employees perceive and cope with AI workplace transformations, applying Lazarus and Folkman’s (1984) Coping Theory to explore psychological and behavioral fundamental processes to adaptation.

Using a mixed methods approach, the quantitative component employs standardized survey instruments to measure perceptions of job security, AI-related readiness, self-efficacy, and behavioral intentions. The qualitative component involves in-depth semi-structured interviews to gain deeper insights into lived experiences, emotional responses, and contextual factors such as trust in leadership, motivation, and perceived organizational culture. The participants will consist of white-collar professionals in medium to large health insurance technology organizations within Hawai‘i.

Together, correlation and regression analyses explore the relationships among organizational support, self-efficacy, and coping behaviors, while thematic analysis of interview data captures the complexity of employees’ lived experiences. Findings are expected to contribute a theoretical framework linking individual appraisals of AI as either opportunity or threat to coping strategies such as adaptation or avoidance.

The research provides practical insights for organizations seeking to support employee resilience during AI technological change, emphasizing the importance of training, communication, and psychological wellness.  By emphasizing on the human dimensions of AI integration, this research informs the development of fairness and sustainable workforce strategies in an increasingly AI automated society.

Committee Members:

• Dr. Scott Robertson – (Dissertation Chair)
• Dr. Jenifer Winter – (Committee Member – COM)
• Dr. Rich Gazan – (Committee Member – LIS)
• Dr. Wayne Buente – (Committee Member – COM)
• Dr. Hyoung-June Park (University Representative – ARCHITECTURE)