Knowledge sharing for AI adoption: a pathway to improving employees’ pro-environmental behavior

Faced with increasing environmental challenges and pressures, many corporations have recognized the need to adopt pro-environmental behavior to achieve sustainable development goals. This study uses knowledge-based dynamic capability theory and social exchange theory as a framework to assess the effects of artificial intelligence (AI) knowledge sharing on pro-environmental behavior. We analyze 209 matched leader – employee questionnaires completed by managers and employees from various corporations in China. Our findings indicate that AI knowledge sharing promotes pro-environmental behavior and that this relationship is mediated by green knowledge sharing. In addition, employee-oriented corporate social responsibility (CSR) plays a positive moderating role between green knowledge sharing and pro-environmental behavior and moderates the indirect effect of AI knowledge sharing on pro-environmental behavior through green knowledge sharing. These findings suggest that corporations should improve their AI knowledge sharing and employee-oriented CSR to encourage employees to engage in more green knowledge sharing, which can in turn increase their pro-environmental behavior. This study makes valuable theoretical contributions and offers practical implications for corporations seeking to achieve sustainable development and competitive advantages in the digital age.