From chats to sustainability: Does usability of chatbots lead to sustainable employee performance in green organizations?

Purpose Despite the two recent trends in the business world—environmental sustainability and technological advancement, there is a paucity of research that melds the two latest developments. Thus, this study empirically tests the association between GHRM practices and sustainable employee performance with the underlying intervening role of chatbot usability. Considering the contextual nature of technology acceptance, the paper also examines how technostress moderates the association among chatbot usability and sustainable employee performance. Design/methodology/approach Employees in Pakistan's manufacturing and service sectors were surveyed using a survey questionnaire. The proposed framework was tested using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling on a sample of 453 respondents chosen purposively from businesses pursuing green agenda. Findings The statistical analysis confirmed the positive effect of GHRM practices on sustainable employee performance. Furthermore, chatbot usability was confirmed to have a mediating effect on the relationship. Importantly, technostress also moderates the link of chatbot usability and sustainable employee performance such that the relationship is weakened in the presence of chatbot usability. Originality/value The results of this research make significant theoretical advances and provide a more thorough knowledge of employee outcomes, specifically in the context of workplace technology. It also confirms that the influence of GHRM extends beyond green outcomes. Consequently, the current research fosters the advancement of GHRM research while also realizing an interdisciplinary debate in the fields of HRM and Artificial intelligence technology. Furthermore, the current study’s findings have significant practical ramifications for businesses and decision makers attempting to adopt GHRM practices and technology in the workplace.