International Research Journal of Business and Strategic Management
Artificial Intelligence and Employee Innovation in Public Universities in Kenya
Abstract
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming workplace dynamics by enhancing employee innovation, decision-making, and problem-solving. As industries increasingly integrate AI-driven technologies, the interplay between automation and human creativity becomes critical for sustainable development, and this includes higher education. This study examined the influence of AI on employee innovation in public universities in Kenya. Specifically, the study focused on assessing the influence of ethical concerns, workforce adoption and job displacement on employee innovation in Public Universities in Kenya. This study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The study unit of analysis was the 36 public universities in Kenya, with a population of 35,502 employees. Simple random sampling was utilised in the first step to ensure that each member had the same chance of being selected. From the sampling technique, a total of 20 public universities were obtained. From these 20 universities, the Slovin’s formula helped to obtain the sample size of 384 respondents. The study utilised primary data from the sampled public universities in Kenya. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation were used to analyze and present data to facilitate interpretation. Inferential statistics entailed the use of multiple regression analysis to determine the relationships between the variables. The result was presented in the form of tables. The study concludes that ethical concerns have a positive and significant effect on employee innovation in Public Universities in Kenya. In addition, the study concludes that workforce adoption has a positive and significant effect on employee innovation in Public Universities in Kenya. Further, the study concludes that job displacement has a positive and significant effect on employee innovation in Public Universities in Kenya. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the management of Public Universities in Kenya should promote transparency and fairness in decision-making processes. When employees perceive that promotions, funding allocations, research opportunities, and performance evaluations are conducted transparently and based on merit, they are more likely to feel valued and motivated.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Employee Innovation, Ethical Concerns, Workforce Adoption, Job Displacement
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