How challenge stressors affect deviant innovation behavior among Chinese frontline textile workers in the age of artificial intelligence

Abstract Previous research has examined the impact of internal organizational stress on employee innovation behavior, but recent research has not thoroughly examined whether artificial intelligence can aid frontline workers in innovating beyond their workflow. This study explores the impact of chall...

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Main Authors: Xiaoru Du, Chunzi Cai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11428-6
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author Xiaoru Du
Chunzi Cai
author_facet Xiaoru Du
Chunzi Cai
author_sort Xiaoru Du
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Previous research has examined the impact of internal organizational stress on employee innovation behavior, but recent research has not thoroughly examined whether artificial intelligence can aid frontline workers in innovating beyond their workflow. This study explores the impact of challenge stressors on deviant innovation behavior among employees of a textile mill based on the conservation of resources theory. This empirical study surveyed a sample of 400 frontline employees of a textile mill in China. Results revealed that challenge stressors significantly positively impact employees’ deviant innovation behavior, and that psychological empowerment mediates their relationship. In addition, satisfaction with human–robot collaboration moderates the relationship between challenge stressors and deviant innovation behavior. Higher satisfaction can enhance employees’ willingness to engage in innovative behaviors, even in the presence of challenge stressors, while lower satisfaction may hinder such behaviors. These findings offer new insights into how stressors affect employees’ deviant innovation behavior and provide valuable guidance for human resource management practices.
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spelling doaj-art-f40841b60b4e4b8889fb0f9d22251cc02025-08-20T03:46:04ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111010.1038/s41598-025-11428-6How challenge stressors affect deviant innovation behavior among Chinese frontline textile workers in the age of artificial intelligenceXiaoru Du0Chunzi Cai1School of Art and Design, Wuhan Textile UniversitySchool of Art and Design, Wuhan Textile UniversityAbstract Previous research has examined the impact of internal organizational stress on employee innovation behavior, but recent research has not thoroughly examined whether artificial intelligence can aid frontline workers in innovating beyond their workflow. This study explores the impact of challenge stressors on deviant innovation behavior among employees of a textile mill based on the conservation of resources theory. This empirical study surveyed a sample of 400 frontline employees of a textile mill in China. Results revealed that challenge stressors significantly positively impact employees’ deviant innovation behavior, and that psychological empowerment mediates their relationship. In addition, satisfaction with human–robot collaboration moderates the relationship between challenge stressors and deviant innovation behavior. Higher satisfaction can enhance employees’ willingness to engage in innovative behaviors, even in the presence of challenge stressors, while lower satisfaction may hinder such behaviors. These findings offer new insights into how stressors affect employees’ deviant innovation behavior and provide valuable guidance for human resource management practices.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11428-6Challenge stressorsDeviant innovation behaviorPsychological empowermentSatisfaction with human–robot collaborationFrontline mill workers
spellingShingle Xiaoru Du
Chunzi Cai
How challenge stressors affect deviant innovation behavior among Chinese frontline textile workers in the age of artificial intelligence
Scientific Reports
Challenge stressors
Deviant innovation behavior
Psychological empowerment
Satisfaction with human–robot collaboration
Frontline mill workers
title How challenge stressors affect deviant innovation behavior among Chinese frontline textile workers in the age of artificial intelligence
title_full How challenge stressors affect deviant innovation behavior among Chinese frontline textile workers in the age of artificial intelligence
title_fullStr How challenge stressors affect deviant innovation behavior among Chinese frontline textile workers in the age of artificial intelligence
title_full_unstemmed How challenge stressors affect deviant innovation behavior among Chinese frontline textile workers in the age of artificial intelligence
title_short How challenge stressors affect deviant innovation behavior among Chinese frontline textile workers in the age of artificial intelligence
title_sort how challenge stressors affect deviant innovation behavior among chinese frontline textile workers in the age of artificial intelligence
topic Challenge stressors
Deviant innovation behavior
Psychological empowerment
Satisfaction with human–robot collaboration
Frontline mill workers
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11428-6
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