The Mediating Role of Creativity in the Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence and Librarians’ Innovative Work Behavior

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the mediating role of creativity in the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and innovative work behavior of librarians among managers, administrative staff, and heads of public libraries in Iran.

Method: This applied research employed a descriptive-correlational method using a quantitative approach to examine the mediating role of creativity in the relationship between AI and librarians' innovative work behavior. The statistical population consisted of managers, administrative staff, and officials working in the Iran Public Libraries Foundation. Due to limited access to these individuals across the country, a cluster sampling method was employed. Provinces were initially clustered based on the number of libraries from the highest to the lowest. Then, one province was randomly selected from each cluster: Fars (Cluster 1), Mazandaran (Cluster 2), Zanjan (Cluster 3), Ardabil (Cluster 4), Semnan (Cluster 5), Lorestan (Cluster 6), and Tehran was also selected from the first cluster due to its centrality. A total of 310 participants were randomly selected from these provinces. In the quantitative phase, standardized questionnaires were used for data collection. AI was measured using the 22-item scale developed by Chen et al. (2022), selected for its coherence, brevity, and comprehensiveness, covering a wide range of AI dimensions. Creativity was measured using the 10-item questionnaire by Barron and Oldham (2006), and innovative work behavior was assessed using the 12-item scale by De Jong and Den Hartog (2010). A total of 310 questionnaires were distributed and used as the basis for data analysis. A five-point Likert scale ranging from "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree" was applied. Convergent and discriminant validity were used to confirm the validity of the measurement tools.

Findings: The results indicated that AI has a positive and significant effect on librarians’ innovative work behavior (path coefficient = 0.422). The use of AI tools and technologies enables librarians to perform their duties more innovatively. Furthermore, AI positively affects librarians’ creativity (path coefficient = 0.509), encouraging them to generate new ideas and solve problems creatively. Ultimately, librarians' creativity has a direct and significant impact on their innovative work behavior (path coefficient = 0.514).

Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that creativity plays a full mediating role in the relationship between AI and librarians’ innovative work behavior. This implies that AI does not have a direct impact on innovative behavior unless it enhances librarians’ creativity. The results suggest that merely using AI tools and technologies, without fostering individual and organizational creativity, cannot lead to innovative work behaviors. Public libraries in Iran, particularly with their socio-cultural roles, can benefit from the innovative potential of their staff only if AI is developed as a platform for enhancing creativity. Therefore, AI is not only a technological factor but also an intermediary mechanism for cultivating creativity and shaping innovative work behavior in libraries. This insight may guide library managers in developing managerial policies aimed at institutionalizing innovation through the reinforcement of technological infrastructure.