Understanding How AI Chatbots Influence Project Performance in Project Management Information Systems: The Mediating Role of Process Efficiency
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/ajsts.v5i2.8084Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence, Chatbots, Process Efficiency, Project Management Information Systems, Project Performance, Technology Acceptance ModelAbstract
The increasing complexity of project environments has intensified the need for intelligent and efficient Project Management Information Systems (PMIS). This paper examines how chatbots in PMIS can influence project performance, with a particular focus on the mediating role of project management process efficiency (PME). Drawing on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), particularly perceived usefulness (PU), and process-based project management theory, a conceptual model was developed linking chatbot capabilities (PU, AUT, and RTR) to project performance through PME. The study used a quantitative, cross-sectional design, and data were collected from 300 project professionals. SPSS was used to conduct regression and mediation analyses with the PROCESS macro. Despite growing interest in AI-chatbot project management, empirical evidence explaining how chatbot capabilities translate into project outcomes remains limited. This study addresses this gap by examining the mediating role of project management processes. The findings reveal that chatbot capabilities significantly affect PME, with real-time reporting showing the largest impact (β = 0.3889, p = 0.001). PME, in turn, is significantly and positively related to project performance (β = 0.7389, p < 0.001). The regression model explains 26.1% of the variance in project performance (R2 = 0.261, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis shows that PME fully mediates the relationship between chatbot capabilities and project performance, and that the indirect effects are significant. These results indicate that integrating chatbots improves project outcomes primarily by enhancing process efficiency. Beyond operational efficiency, the study contributes to understanding how AI-enabled conversational systems reshape human decision support and information coordination in project environments.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Almutairi Mamdooh Salman, Midhun chakkaravarthy
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