Adaptive Intelligence as an Emerging Individual Capability

Abstract

The rapid diffusion of Industry 4.0 technologies has intensified digital transformation across Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) multinational enterprises (MNEs). Despite substantial organisational investments in artificial intelligence, automation, and cloud computing, uneven technology adoption driven by persistent employee resistance continues to undermine transformation outcomes. This paradox indicates that successful digital transformation depends not only on technological sophistication but on employees' individual capacity to adapt to continuous technological change. Addressing this gap, the present study conceptualises Adaptive Intelligence, grounded in Sternberg's theory as a distinct individual capability enabling employees to navigate digital disruption effectively. Adaptive intelligence moves beyond conventional cognitive measures to encompass self-adaptation, environmental shaping and selection, practical and creative intelligence, and wisdom-based judgment. An exploratory qualitative research design was employed, drawing on in-depth interviews with ten practitioners in HR, operations, systems, and talent development roles within ITES MNEs, professionals whose direct involvement in technology implementation affords privileged observational access to how employees encounter, resist, and adapt to digital change at the point of deployment. Data were analysed using the Gioia inductive coding methodology. Five interrelated dimensions of adaptive intelligence emerged: adaptive learning and unlearning, techno-emotional regulation, proactive adoption orientation, environmental shaping capability, and collective adaptive wisdom. These dimensions are further related to the Big Five personality traits through Matthews' Cognitive-Adaptive Theory of Personality, deepening the behavioural understanding of adaptive responses to technological change. The study proposes an integrative conceptual framework and six research propositions, extending theory on dynamic capabilities, digital transformation, and technostress, while offering practical guidance for talent recruitment, capability development, and workforce resilience in digitally transforming organisations.