Authentic leadership and workplace deviance: The mediating roles of psychological capital and organizational identification in the era of artificial intelligence

Chengcheng Sha^*, Manyuan Li, Xiaolei Pan^*
Department of Economics and Trade, Guangxi Eco-Engineering Vocational & Technical College, Liuzhou, China
* Corresponding Author: Chengcheng Sha. Email: email ; Xiaolei Pan. Email: email

Journal of Psychology in Africa https://doi.org/10.32604/jpa.2026.074832

Received 19 October 2025; Accepted 31 March 2026; Published online 05 May 2026

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Abstract

This study explores how authentic leadership reduces workplace deviance behavior in the era of artificial intelligence (AI) through a chain mediation mechanism involving positive psychological capital and organizational identification. The sample comprised 619 business professionals who regularly used AI tools in their work (52% male; M = 34 years, 20.7% from the service education). The results revealed a significant workplace deviance behavior to be lower with authentic leadership. Organizational identification mediated the relationship between authentic leadership and workplace deviance behavior for lower workplace deviance. Although positive psychological capital alone did not mediate this relationship, it exerted an indirect effect on workplace deviance behavior by enhancing employees’organizational identification. These findings suggest that, in the context of AI, authentic leadership can effectively mitigate workplace deviant behaviors by strengthening employees’ psychological resources and fostering stronger identification with the organization. Therefore, human resource departments should actively identify and support managers who demonstrate authentic leadership qualities.