The Moderating Role of Techy-Savvy Skills on the Effect of AI on Performance Management in Mining SMEs in Zimbabwe

Artificial intelligence has transformed the business landscape, impacting various human resources functions, including performance management. Previous studies have explored AI's effects on performance management in larger organizations, this research focuses on its impact within mining SMEs in Zimbabwe. It considers tech-savvy skills as a moderating variable between AI and performance management, aiming to address a new gap in the human resources field. The primary objective is to examine how tech-savvy skills influence the relationship between AI and performance management. The study employs quantitative methodologies with the target population of employees in the mining SME sector in Mashonaland Central, with a sample size of 385, determined using Raosoft for an unknown population. Respondents were selected through simple random sampling, with questionnaires. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 30, employing descriptive, correlational, and inferential statistics, demonstrating that tech-savvy skills mediate the relationship between AI and performance management.