Generative AI User Types in Human Resource Departments: A Governance Framework

Author(s):

Harr, Michael Dominic; Banh, Leonardo; Schütte, Reinhard; Strobel, Gero

Name of Event:

SAP Academic Community Conference

Location:

St. Gallen, Switzerland

Date:

8th Sep 2026

Language:

English

Keywords:

Generative Artificial Intelligence, User Types, Governance, AI Literacy, Human Resources.

Presentation:

SAPACC_2026__GenerativeAIUserTypesInHRDepartments_Presentation_v3.pdf

Abstract

The rapid diffusion of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) opened a governance vacuum, in which employee’s adoption outpaces organiza tions’ abilities to guide, regulate, and support responsible GenAI use. Identifying how employees use GenAI and which user types emerge is therefore critical for closing this vacuum. However, recent typologies dominantly neglected the role of governance. To address this gap, we conducted 20 semi-structured interviews with human resource professionals across 13 German-based organizations and analyzed them using (type-building) qualitative content analysis. In doing so, we extend research on GenAI user types by introducing a three-dimensional diag nostic framework that yields six empirically populated user types: the Uninitiated User, Cautious User, Naïve Adopter, Responsible Steward, Unaware Shadow User, and the previously undertheorized Sovereign Shadow User. By remodeling governance as a distinct dimension, we demonstrate that even literate users de liberately circumvent organizational governance. Finally, we derive three pre scriptive transition pathways toward responsible GenAI use in organizations.