Perceived coworker AI knowledge and AI-knowledge withholding: role of job insecurity and organizational AI readiness

Purpose This study aims to examine how employees’ perceptions of their coworkers’ artificial intelligence (AI) knowledge influence their own tendency to withhold AI-related knowledge and explore the mediating and moderating mechanisms that explain this process. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 236 employees across three time points. Hypotheses were tested using regression analysis and bootstrapping methods. Findings Drawing on interdependence theory, we reveal that employees who perceive their coworkers as more proficient in AI experience heightened job insecurity, which drives AI-knowledge withholding. Organizational AI readiness moderates the indirect effect of perceived coworker AI knowledge on AI-knowledge withholding via job insecurity. Originality/value This study enhances understanding of knowledge withholding during AI transitions and offers actionable insights for organizations to minimize counterproductive knowledge behaviors.