Paper Number
1218
Paper Type
Complete Research Paper
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used to execute tasks of middle management, such as monitoring or motivating employees. This study examines how AI affects the roles of middle managers, i.e., the interface between top management and employees. A theoretical literature review of 53 studies shows that AI has the potential to fundamentally alter the ‘traditional’ middle management. Using Mintzberg (1973) as theoretical lens, we first conduct a deductive (i.e., top-down) analysis and find that some roles are likely to be replaced by AI, while other roles might rather be performed in human manager-AI collaboration. Other roles seem to remain in managerial domain but will become more important. Second, our inductive (i.e., bottom-up) analysis reveals new managerial roles that serve to support existing managerial roles and perform tasks that arise when introducing AI to manage workers, which is why we extend the initial theoretical framework with the concept of ‘managerial meta-roles.’
Recommended Citation
Lippert, Isabell, "Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Managerial Work: A Theoretical Review of Managerial Roles" (2024). ECIS 2024 Proceedings. 6.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/ecis2024/track05_fow/track05_fow/6
Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Managerial Work: A Theoretical Review of Managerial Roles
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used to execute tasks of middle management, such as monitoring or motivating employees. This study examines how AI affects the roles of middle managers, i.e., the interface between top management and employees. A theoretical literature review of 53 studies shows that AI has the potential to fundamentally alter the ‘traditional’ middle management. Using Mintzberg (1973) as theoretical lens, we first conduct a deductive (i.e., top-down) analysis and find that some roles are likely to be replaced by AI, while other roles might rather be performed in human manager-AI collaboration. Other roles seem to remain in managerial domain but will become more important. Second, our inductive (i.e., bottom-up) analysis reveals new managerial roles that serve to support existing managerial roles and perform tasks that arise when introducing AI to manage workers, which is why we extend the initial theoretical framework with the concept of ‘managerial meta-roles.’
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