Keywords
AI crafting
Incremental creativity
Radical creativity
Enterprise management
Published : 2026-08-13
Abstract
Artificial intelligence is becoming a routine partner in enterprise work, but its creative value depends on how employees reconfigure their work around AI. Using 138 valid survey responses from Chinese employees with AI-use experience, this study examines whether employee-AI collaboration promotes incremental and radical creativity through AI crafting. Results show that employee-AI collaboration significantly predicts AI crafting and both creativity outcomes. AI crafting further mediates these relationships. The findings highlight AI crafting as a behavioral mechanism linking human-AI collaboration with dual creativity.
References
Kong H, Yin Z, Baruch Y, et al., 2023, The Impact of Trust in AI on Career Sustainability: The Role of Employee-AI Collaboration and Protean Career Orientation. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 146: 103928.
Yin Z, Kong H, Baruch Y, et al., 2024, Interactive Effects of AI Awareness and Change-Oriented Leadership on Employee-AI Collaboration: The Role of Approach and Avoidance Motivation. Tourism Management, 105: 104966.
Li W, Qin X, Yam K, et al., 2024, Embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI) With Job Crafting: Exploring Trickle-Down Effect and Employee Outcomes. Tourism Management, 104: 104935.
Liu Y, Sheng F, Liu R, 2025, Generative AI Adoption and Employee Outcomes: A Conservation of Resources Perspective on Job Crafting, Career Commitment, and the Moderating Role of Liking of AI. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12(1): 1–17.
Xu Y, Xie P, Naeem R, et al., 2026, Responsible AI and Employee Service Innovation Behavior: A Sequential Mediation Model of AI Self-Efficacy and AI Crafting. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 224: 124470.
Madjar N, Greenberg E, Chen Z, 2011, Factors for Radical Creativity, Incremental Creativity, and Routine, Noncreative Performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 96(4): 730–743.
Zhang X, Yu P, Ma L, 2025, How and When Generative AI Use Affects Employee Incremental and Radical Creativity: An Empirical Study in China. European Journal of Innovation Management, 29(3): 702–727.
Liang Y, Yang M, Wu T, 2025, Double-Edged Sword Effect of Employee-AI Collaboration: The Role of AI Uncertainty and Digital Leadership. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 46(6): 943–962.
Kock F, Berbekova A, Assaf A, 2021, Understanding and Managing the Threat of Common Method Bias: Detection, Prevention and Control. Tourism Management, 86: 104330.