{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,27]],"date-time":"2026-08-27T06:18:18Z","timestamp":1787811498904,"version":"build-2784847793"},"reference-count":36,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,27]],"date-time":"2026-08-27T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1787788800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Psychol."],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Introduction<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is changing not only how university teachers perform tasks but also how professional responsibilities are divided between human actors and intelligent systems. Drawing on role theory, meaningful work scholarship, and research on professional identity, this study examined whether meaningful work mediates the longitudinal relationship between role ambiguity in human \u2013 AI collaboration and university teachers\u2019 professional identity.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A three-wave survey of university teachers was conducted at four-week intervals; 1,074 complete matched cases formed the final analytical sample. Role ambiguity, meaningful work, and professional identity were repeatedly measured, and the analyses included formal common-method checks, reliability and validity analyses at every wave, longitudinal measurement-invariance tests, baseline-adjusted hierarchical regressions, and a temporally ordered bootstrap mediation analysis.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      Time 1 role ambiguity was associated with lower Time 2 meaningful work (\n                      <jats:italic>\u03b2<\/jats:italic>\n                      \u202f=\u202f\u22120.193,\n                      <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                      \u202f&amp;lt;\u202f0.001; \u0394\n                      <jats:italic>R<\/jats:italic>\n                      <jats:sup>2<\/jats:sup>\n                      \u202f=\u202f0.031) and lower Time 3 professional identity (\n                      <jats:italic>\u03b2<\/jats:italic>\n                      \u202f=\u202f\u22120.154,\n                      <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                      \u202f&amp;lt;\u202f0.001; \u0394\n                      <jats:italic>R<\/jats:italic>\n                      <jats:sup>2<\/jats:sup>\n                      \u202f=\u202f0.018). Time 2 meaningful work was positively associated with Time 3 professional identity (\n                      <jats:italic>\u03b2<\/jats:italic>\n                      \u202f=\u202f0.219,\n                      <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                      \u202f&amp;lt;\u202f0.001; \u0394\n                      <jats:italic>R<\/jats:italic>\n                      <jats:sup>2<\/jats:sup>\n                      \u202f=\u202f0.017). The longitudinal indirect effect was\n                      <jats:italic>B<\/jats:italic>\n                      \u202f=\u202f\u22120.040 (BootSE\u202f=\u202f0.006, 95% CI [\u22120.052, \u22120.028]), with a remaining direct association of\n                      <jats:italic>B<\/jats:italic>\n                      \u202f=\u202f\u22120.111, consistent with partial mediation. These incremental effects were statistically reliable but small.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Discussion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The results suggest that GenAI use frequency alone does not capture the professional consequences of AI-supported academic work; clarity about who does what, who decides, and who remains accountable also matters.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1950622","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,27]],"date-time":"2026-08-27T05:34:36Z","timestamp":1787808876000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Human\u2013AI collaboration role ambiguity and university teachers\u2019 professional identity: the mediating role of meaningful work"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"17","author":[{"given":"Wei","family":"Tao","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"The College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University","place":["Wuhan, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Zheng","family":"Li","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Languages and Communication Studies, Beijing Jiaotong University","place":["Beijing, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Aiai","family":"Zhang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Journalism and Communication, Tsinghua University","place":["Beijing, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,27]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"431","DOI":"10.1080\/13596748.2013.847235","article-title":"Professional identity of faculty members at higher education institutions: a criterion for workplace success","volume":"18","author":"Abu-Alruz","year":"2013","journal-title":"Res. Post-Compuls. Educ."},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"500","DOI":"10.1111\/joms.12406","article-title":"Outcomes of meaningful work: a meta-analysis","volume":"56","author":"Allan","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Manag. Stud."},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"315","DOI":"10.25300\/MISQ\/2021\/15882","article-title":"The next generation of research on IS use: a theoretical framework of delegation to and from agentic IS artifacts","volume":"45","author":"Baird","year":"2021","journal-title":"MIS Q."},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"107","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tate.2003.07.001","article-title":"Reconsidering research on teachers\u2019 professional identity","volume":"20","author":"Beijaard","year":"2004","journal-title":"Teach. Teach. Educ."},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"749","DOI":"10.1016\/S0742-051X(00)00023-8","article-title":"Teachers\u2019 perceptions of professional identity: an exploratory study from a personal knowledge perspective","volume":"16","author":"Beijaard","year":"2000","journal-title":"Teach. Teach. Educ."},{"key":"ref6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"5001","DOI":"10.1108\/EJIM-11-2024-1339","article-title":"Meaningful work as shaped by employee work practices in human-AI collaborative environments: a qualitative exploration through ideal types","volume":"28","author":"Callari","year":"2025","journal-title":"Eur. J. Innov. Manag."},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"43","DOI":"10.1186\/s41239-023-00411-8","article-title":"Students\u2019 voices on generative AI: perceptions, benefits, and challenges in higher education","volume":"20","author":"Chan","year":"2023","journal-title":"Int. J. Educ. Technol. High. Educ."},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"464","DOI":"10.1080\/10705510701301834","article-title":"Sensitivity of goodness of fit indexes to lack of measurement invariance","volume":"14","author":"Chen","year":"2007","journal-title":"Struct. Equ. Model."},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"233","DOI":"10.1207\/S15328007SEM0902_5","article-title":"Evaluating goodness-of-fit indexes for testing measurement invariance","volume":"9","author":"Cheung","year":"2002","journal-title":"Struct. Equ. Model."},{"key":"ref10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"558","DOI":"10.1037\/0021-843X.112.4.558","article-title":"Testing mediational models with longitudinal data: questions and tips in the use of structural equation modeling","volume":"112","author":"Cole","year":"2003","journal-title":"J. Abnorm. Psychol."},{"key":"ref12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"489","DOI":"10.1037\/met0000041","article-title":"Optimal time lags in panel studies","volume":"20","author":"Dormann","year":"2015","journal-title":"Psychol. Methods"},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"39","DOI":"10.1177\/002224378101800104","article-title":"Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error","volume":"18","author":"Fornell","year":"1981","journal-title":"J. Mark. Res."},{"key":"ref15","first-page":"1","author":"Han","year":"2025"},{"key":"ref16","volume-title":"Introduction to Mediation, Moderation, and Conditional Process Analysis: A Regression-Based Approach","author":"Hayes","year":"2022"},{"key":"ref17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"115","DOI":"10.1007\/s11747-014-0403-8","article-title":"A new criterion for assessing discriminant validity in variance-based structural equation modeling","volume":"43","author":"Henseler","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Acad. Mark. Sci."},{"key":"ref19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"764","DOI":"10.2307\/2667055","article-title":"Provisional selves: experimenting with image and identity in professional adaptation","volume":"44","author":"Ibarra","year":"1999","journal-title":"Adm. Sci. Q."},{"key":"ref20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"16","DOI":"10.1016\/0749-5978(85)90020-2","article-title":"A meta-analysis and conceptual critique of research on role ambiguity and role conflict in work settings","volume":"36","author":"Jackson","year":"1985","journal-title":"Organ. Behav. Hum. Decis. Process."},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"577","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bushor.2018.03.007","article-title":"Artificial intelligence and the future of work: human\u2013AI symbiosis in organizational decision making","volume":"61","author":"Jarrahi","year":"2018","journal-title":"Bus. Horiz."},{"key":"ref22","volume-title":"Organizational Stress: Studies in Role Conflict and Ambiguity","author":"Kahn","year":"1964"},{"key":"ref23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"104736","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tate.2024.104736","article-title":"Through tensions to identity-based motivations: exploring teacher professional identity in artificial intelligence-enhanced teacher training","volume":"151","author":"Lan","year":"2024","journal-title":"Teach. Teach. Educ."},{"key":"ref24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"13583","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-026-42312-6","article-title":"Relying on AI at work reduces self-efficacy, ownership, and meaning while active collaboration mitigates the effects","volume":"16","author":"Lee","year":"2026","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"105499","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tate.2026.105499","article-title":"Teacher identity negotiation in AI-enhanced higher education and its implications for professional development","volume":"176","author":"Li","year":"2026","journal-title":"Teach. Teach. Educ."},{"key":"ref26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"58","DOI":"10.1186\/s41239-024-00490-1","article-title":"Artificial intelligence in higher education: exploring faculty use, self-efficacy, distinct profiles, and professional development needs","volume":"21","author":"Mah","year":"2024","journal-title":"Int. J. Educ. Technol. High. Educ."},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"363","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2018.00363","article-title":"Significant work is about self-realization and broader purpose: defining the key dimensions of meaningful work","volume":"9","author":"Martela","year":"2018","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."},{"key":"ref28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"23","DOI":"10.1037\/1082-989X.12.1.23","article-title":"Bias in cross-sectional analyses of longitudinal mediation","volume":"12","author":"Maxwell","year":"2007","journal-title":"Psychol. Methods"},{"key":"ref30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"552","DOI":"10.5465\/amr.2019.0186","article-title":"Humans and technology: forms of conjoined agency in organizations","volume":"46","author":"Murray","year":"2021","journal-title":"Acad. Manag. Rev."},{"key":"ref32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"879","DOI":"10.1037\/0021-9010.88.5.879","article-title":"Common method biases in behavioral research: a critical review of the literature and recommended remedies","volume":"88","author":"Podsakoff","year":"2003","journal-title":"J. Appl. Psychol."},{"key":"ref33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"235","DOI":"10.5465\/amj.2006.20786060","article-title":"Constructing professional identity: the role of work and identity learning cycles in the customization of identity among medical residents","volume":"49","author":"Pratt","year":"2006","journal-title":"Acad. Manag. J."},{"key":"ref34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"192","DOI":"10.5465\/amr.2018.0072","article-title":"Artificial intelligence and management: the automation\u2013augmentation paradox","volume":"46","author":"Raisch","year":"2021","journal-title":"Acad. Manag. Rev."},{"key":"ref35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"150","DOI":"10.2307\/2391486","article-title":"Role conflict and ambiguity in complex organizations","volume":"15","author":"Rizzo","year":"1970","journal-title":"Adm. Sci. Q."},{"key":"ref36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"91","DOI":"10.1016\/j.riob.2010.09.001","article-title":"On the meaning of work: a theoretical integration and review","volume":"30","author":"Rosso","year":"2010","journal-title":"Res. Organ. Behav."},{"key":"ref37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1145\/3637407","article-title":"The soul of work: evaluation of job meaningfulness and accountability in human-AI collaboration","volume":"8","author":"Sadeghian","year":"2024","journal-title":"Proc. ACM Hum.-Comput. Interact."},{"key":"ref38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"37","DOI":"10.1002\/job.4030140105","article-title":"The measurement properties of the role conflict and role ambiguity scales: a review and extension of the empirical research","volume":"14","author":"Smith","year":"1993","journal-title":"J. Organ. Behav."},{"key":"ref39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"322","DOI":"10.1177\/1069072711436160","article-title":"Measuring meaningful work: the work and meaning inventory","volume":"20","author":"Steger","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Career Assess."},{"key":"ref40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"325","DOI":"10.1080\/07294360.2016.1208154","article-title":"Developing a teacher identity in the university context: a systematic review of the literature","volume":"36","author":"van Lankveld","year":"2017","journal-title":"High. Educ. Res. Dev."},{"key":"ref41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3557","DOI":"10.1007\/s00146-025-02772-2","article-title":"Collaboration between individuals and AI: fusing mental effort and AI for work meaningfulness","volume":"41","author":"Vodi\u0161kar","year":"2026","journal-title":"AI Soc."}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Psychology"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1950622\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,27]],"date-time":"2026-08-27T05:34:37Z","timestamp":1787808877000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1950622\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,27]]},"references-count":36,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1950622"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1950622","relation":{},"ISSN":["1664-1078"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1664-1078","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,27]]},"article-number":"1950622"}}