{"title":"Anxiety buffers and the threat of extreme automation: a terror management theory perspective","authors":"Frank G. Goethals, Jennifer L. Ziegelmayer","doi":"10.1108/ITP-06-2019-0304","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThe advent of extreme automation from new technologies such as artificial intelligence portends a massive increase in unemployment. The psychological impact of this threat on the workforce is critically important. This paper aims to examine the functioning of individuals' anxiety buffers in response to this threat.Design/methodology/approachA two-stage mixed-methods design is used. In stage 1, qualitative data are gathered through semi-structured interviews. In stage 2, quantitative data are collected through two experiments to assess the psychological impact of exposure to the threat.FindingsExposure to the threat of extreme automation reduces self-esteem, faith in the worldview and attachment security. When self-esteem and attachment security are under attack, they are ineffective as anxiety buffers, and anxiety levels increase. Additionally, there is a distal effect such that during a period of distraction, the threatened anxiety buffers are reinforced and return to their normal levels.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to a homogenous culture in which work is highly salient. Future research should include other cultures, other methods of exposure and further examine the distal effects.Originality/valueThe study examines the previously underexplored issue of individuals' psychological response to the impending changes in the workforce because of technological advancements.","PeriodicalId":47740,"journal":{"name":"Information Technology & People","volume":"43 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9000,"publicationDate":"2021-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"1","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Information Technology & People","FirstCategoryId":"91","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-06-2019-0304","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"INFORMATION SCIENCE & LIBRARY SCIENCE","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 1
Abstract
PurposeThe advent of extreme automation from new technologies such as artificial intelligence portends a massive increase in unemployment. The psychological impact of this threat on the workforce is critically important. This paper aims to examine the functioning of individuals' anxiety buffers in response to this threat.Design/methodology/approachA two-stage mixed-methods design is used. In stage 1, qualitative data are gathered through semi-structured interviews. In stage 2, quantitative data are collected through two experiments to assess the psychological impact of exposure to the threat.FindingsExposure to the threat of extreme automation reduces self-esteem, faith in the worldview and attachment security. When self-esteem and attachment security are under attack, they are ineffective as anxiety buffers, and anxiety levels increase. Additionally, there is a distal effect such that during a period of distraction, the threatened anxiety buffers are reinforced and return to their normal levels.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to a homogenous culture in which work is highly salient. Future research should include other cultures, other methods of exposure and further examine the distal effects.Originality/valueThe study examines the previously underexplored issue of individuals' psychological response to the impending changes in the workforce because of technological advancements.
期刊介绍:
Information Technology & People publishes work that is dedicated to understanding the implications of information technology as a tool, resource and format for people in their daily work in organizations. Impact on performance is part of this, since it is essential to the well being of employees and organizations alike. Contributions to the journal include case studies, comparative theory, and quantitative research, as well as inquiries into systems development methods and practice.