A Socio-Technical Analysis of Technology Adoption in Chinese Organizations: An Explorative Study of Generative AI Adoption in Chinese Human Resource Management

Abstract

With the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence (AI), more people and companies are starting to realize its potential in facilitating and supporting human work. This master’s thesis will explore the socio-technical factors that can influence generative AI adoption in human resource management (HRM) in Chinese organizations. This thesis is based on qualitative data with semi-structured interviews with 5 HR managers from different industries and business scales. It has identified some key elements in the technical, social, and organizational dimensions that affect generative AI adoption. It suggests that generative AI adoption is less relevant to the managers’ attitude towards AI technology and more relevant to their attitude towards adoption. The attitude towards adoption is influenced by technological factors like perceived technical immaturity and weak data foundations. Social factors include alignment with national strategies, the involvement of third parties, and the influence of guanxi (interpersonal relationships) also affect the perception of AI adoption. Organizational factors highlight the importance of alignment between strategic priorities, management practices, and internal resources and capabilities in facilitating AI adoption. Eventually, this research contributes to the discussion of AI adoption in Chinese HRM contexts, offering both practical and theoretical insights for organizations in leading their digital transformation.