Generative AI as a Knowledge Governance Mechanism: The Role of Digital Trust and Information Security
TL;DR
The results show that AI use significantly increases digital trust, which in turn improves decision quality, and indicates that the impact of generative AI on decision-making depends on governance conditions rather than technology alone.
Abstract
The rapid diffusion of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) is transforming organizational knowledge processes, yet existing research offers limited insight into its governance implications. This study addresses this gap by conceptualizing GAI as a mechanism of knowledge governance and examining its relationship with digital trust, information security maturity, and decision quality. Data from 300 firms across Poland, Germany, and Spain were collected using a CAWI survey of top management teams. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and multilevel analysis were applied to test relationships between AI-mediated knowledge practices, digital trust, information security maturity, and perceived decision quality. The results show that AI use significantly increases digital trust, which in turn improves decision quality. Digital trust acts as a mediator, while information security maturity moderates this relationship. The findings indicate that the impact of generative AI on decision-making depends on governance conditions rather than technology alone.