AI in digital transformation: digital discretion
Decisions in public administrations are increasingly supported by digital provision of information, virtual interactions, and automated information processing. This also applies to discretionary decisions made by public servants. However, it remains unclear which forms of digital support, from the servants' perspective, enhance the execution of discretion and thereby improve the quality of decisions, and which do not.
Doctoral project
The planned PhD project will use qualitative and quantitative methods to examine the determinants and consequences of different forms of digitally supported discretionary decisions. The focus will be on the perspectives of public servants, their perceptions, and their behavior.
Doctoral researcher: Raimund Lehle
Mentors: Prof. Dr. Anna Steidle (Psychology), Prof. Dr. Caroline Ruiner (Sociology), Prof. Dr. Arne Pautsch (Public Law), Prof. Dr. Michael Schorn (Institutional Economics)
Human – AI interaction in public administration: individual barriers and drivers of AI use and their impact on administrative action
AI is increasingly being implemented in public administration, but depending on the AI tool, the extent of AI use can be controlled individually by administrative employees. It remains unclear which psychological factors promote or hinder individual AI use and how these can be addressed to support the implementation of new AI tools. At the same time, the question arises as to what consequences the use of AI in public administration entails and how AI influences the thinking and actions of public servants.
Doctoral project
The planned doctoral project aims to investigate, using empirical quantitative methods, which psychological factors (for example, attitudes toward AI) facilitate or hinder the use of AI-based tools in public administration. The results will be used to develop strategies to support the implementation of AI tools in administrative contexts. In addition, the project examines potential consequences of AI use for the thinking and behavior of public administration employees. As an illustrative example, it will explore whether interaction with AI chatbots influences administrative decision-making.
Doctoral researcher: Maike Hering
Mentors: Prof. Dr. Siegmar Otto (Psychology), Prof. Dr. Birgit Schenk (Organizational Management), Prof. Dr. Bernhard Boockmann (Economics)
AI use and employee well-being„
Administrative work is increasingly shaped by the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which automates processes, transforms work routines, and creates new forms of interaction between employees and technology. However, it remains unclear how these changes are experienced from the perspective of public administration employees and what effects they have on their well-being.
Doctoral project
The doctoral project examines how the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in public administration affects the well-being of public sector employees. As AI is increasingly used to support administrative processes, decision-making, and service delivery, it is transforming everyday work practices in public organizations. However, little is known about how these changes are perceived by employees and how they influence their work situation.
The project therefore focuses on how the introduction of AI alters job demands and resources and how these changes relate to the well-being of administrative staff.
Methodologically, the study combines qualitative interviews with public administration employees and quantitative surveys conducted at multiple points in time. The aim is to generate empirical insights into the conditions under which AI-supported administrative work may support or challenge employee well-being.
Doctoral researcher: Anna Kost
Mentors: Prof. Dr. Birgit Schenk (Organizational Management), Prof. Dr. Siegmar Otto (Psychology), Prof. Dr. Bernhard Boockmann (Economics), Prof. Dr. Jörg Dürrschmidt (Sociology)