Title: AI-driven organisational culture and its impact on employee performance and stress in the Chinese real estate industry: the mediating role of autonomy

Authors: Xinyang Zhang; Sanghyuk Yim

Addresses: Dankook University, 152, Jukjeon-ro, Suji-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 16890, Korea ' Dankook University, 152, Jukjeon-ro, Suji-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 16890, Korea

Abstract: This study investigates the effects of AI-based organisational culture on employee performance and stress, as well as autonomy's mediating role, in Chinese real estate industry, a sector facing recent decline where AI emerges as a critical tool to enhance employee performance. It surveys 250 employees with at least two years of experience and uses SmartPLS for data analysis. Results confirm that AI influences employee efficiency and stress, autonomy strongly affects performance and stress, stress impacts work outcomes, and autonomy serves as a key mediator. These findings provide valuable guidance for Chinese real estate managers to sustain high employee performance via autonomy in AI-integrated cultures and help employees mitigate work stress, successfully achieving the study's core objectives.

Keywords: artificial intelligence; AI; organisational culture; employee performance; stress; autonomy; real estate industry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWE.2026.153249

International Journal of Environment, Workplace and Employment, 2026 Vol.10 No.1, pp.94 - 111

Received: 14 Nov 2025
Accepted: 24 Nov 2025
Published online: 29 Apr 2026 *

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