Yanli Yang, Yan Li, Mohammad Said Ibrahim Alshuaibi, Saralah Devi Mariamdaran Chethiyar
This study examines how AI-supported work environments foster employee eco-initiative creativity - a new type of creativity that responds to organizational sustainability problems. Drawing on task-technology fit theory, it investigates the mediating effects of employee vitality and creative self-efficacy and a moderating effect of AI-enhanced work practices. Data from 543 Chinese manufacturing and service employees from three waves were collected and analyzed with SMART-PLS. Results show that AI-supported environments directly encourage eco-initiative behavior and indirectly improve vitality and creative self-efficacy. Employees who actively engage with AI tools are more strongly affected, showing the importance of technological congruity and proper usage. By placing employee creativity in the context of sustainability, the study brings together organizational and psychological views in a coherent framework. The findings help to guide organizations on linking technological adoption to environmental goals with a focus on supportive conditions, engaging employees, and being prepared to support eco-initiative behavior for the advancement of sustainability.