Artificial Intelligence Adoption and Employee Performance in Nigerian Universities: A Conceptual Framework
Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence Adoption, Employee Performance, Sustainable Human Resource Management, Nigerian Universities, Digital Transformation, Higher EducationAbstract
Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption is increasingly reshaping higher education administration, academic work, human resource management and employee performance. In Nigerian universities, the growing relevance of AI is visible in teaching support, research assistance, records management, recruitment support, performance monitoring, data analytics, workflow automation and staff development. However, the relationship among AI adoption, employee performance and sustainable human resource management remains insufficiently theorised within the Nigerian university context. This paper examines AI adoption as a strategic enabler of employee performance and sustainable HRM in Nigerian universities. This study employs a conceptual and framework development method based on the Technology Acceptance Model, Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, Ability-Motivation-Opportunity theory, socio-technical systems theory and sustainable HRM theory. The paper contends that artificial intelligence can boost employee performance when adoption is promoted by perceived utility, ease of use, conducive conditions, AI literacy, ethical governance and human-centric implementation. The paper further claims that sustainable HRM is not just achieved through digital automation, but also through the proper integration of AI in staff development, employee well-being, workload management, inclusion, green administration and long-term employability. This study presents an AI-enabled Sustainable HRM Performance Framework to describe the impact of AI adoption on task performance, adaptive performance, contextual performance and innovative behaviour through sustainable HRM practices. The report indicates that Nigerian universities require a balanced approach to AI governance that balances digital transformation with employee dignity, capability development, transparency, and institutional sustainability.
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