Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the world of work and, with it, the way leaders run companies and institutions. In recent years, more and more companies have implemented artificial intelligence (AI) in different areas. The question that arises and what the following work is aimed at is the question of what influence an implementation of AI has on leadership and what this means for the entire management. The resulting research gap is examined, analysed and evaluated through a systematic literature review of current scientific sources and through expert interviews with international executives.
The literature evaluation and the expert interviews led to the conclusion that many executives welcome the topic of AI and are open to a possible implementation in the corporate structure. However, it could also be analysed that some experts expect a certain change and shift in leadership style towards a more technical leadership style. The future, therefore, calls for leaders who are open to technical implementations such as AI but also leaders who simultaneously promote the uniquely human skills of employees and integrate AI into their leadership style.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 Goals and Objectives
1.2 Research Question
1.3 Methodology
2 Theoretical framework and literature review
2.1 Leadership and management
2.1.1 Conceptual framework
2.1.2 Development and current situation
2.1.3 Leadership objectives and issues in corporations
2.1.4 Summary
2.2 Artificial Intelligence
2.2.1 Conceptual framework
2.2.2 Development and current situation
2.2.3 Machine Learning and deep learning
2.2.4 Objectives of artificial intelligence in corporations
2.2.5 Summary
2.3 Technologies impact on corporate leadership
2.3.1 The influence of artificial intelligence in companies
2.3.2 The impact of artificial intelligence on corporate leadership
2.3.3 Summary
3 Empirical Research: Expert Interviews
3.1 Development of Interview Guidelines
3.2 Selection of different multinational Experts
3.3 Method of Analysis
3.4 Presentation of Results
3.5 Key Findings from Empirical Research
4 Discussion
4.1 Analysis of the literature review and expert interviews
4.2 Limitations and Further Research
5 Conclusion and Practical Implications
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This thesis examines the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on corporate leadership and management. The primary research question addresses how the implementation of AI impacts leadership structures, methodologies, and the requirements for executives in a rapidly evolving, technology-driven business environment.
- The intersection of traditional leadership constructs and modern technological developments.
- The operational and strategic role of AI in corporate decision-making and performance optimization.
- The identification of requirements for future leadership styles in the age of AI.
- The challenges of AI adoption, including technical, ethical, and organizational barriers.
- Empirical insights based on expert interviews with international executives.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1.3 Leadership objectives and issues in corporations
The topic of leadership, as already mentioned in 2.1.1, is a highly diverse and complex topic that, despite the many published research results, still needs to be fully understood and defined. A lack of understanding of the concept of leadership often begins with the definition itself. Bernard Bass states in his book: “There are as many definitions of leadership as there are those who have tried to define it” (Bass, 1990, p. 11). This statement is consistent with many other references that have attempted to define leadership in other ways. A similar statement is made by Daft, who says that leadership is highly complex and challenging to grasp and define because it is so complex (Daft, 2018, p. 4). The exact understanding of the pure concept of leadership remains a challenge for the leadership itself.
However, it must also be mentioned that the definition is independent of whether a company is successful or not. There are more fundamental issues in today’s organisations that affect their operations than defining and understanding leadership itself (Deep Sharma et al., 2019). When it comes to leadership objectives, this is one of the most fundamental and also essential aspects of leadership itself. The definition of goal leadership is rarely discussed in the literature. However, Azad et al., (2017) showed that leadership goals determine the direction of leadership and the goal to be achieved in an organisation (Azad et al., 2017). Daft confirmed in his book that this type of quality leadership is one of the most important and essential factors for the stability of society, companies and organisations in general (Daft, 2018, p. 4). Since the beginning of leadership research, several different leadership goals have been discussed in the literature. According to Daft, the following goals that have the most impact on companies are, on the one hand, employee organisation but also working towards a specific goal, employee motivation, communication, and managing change within an organisational structure (Daft, 2018).
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter introduces the increasing relevance of leadership in the context of technological advancements and defines the research objectives and methodology.
2 Theoretical framework and literature review: This section provides a comprehensive overview of leadership theories, the conceptualization of AI, and existing research on how technology impacts corporate management and strategy.
3 Empirical Research: Expert Interviews: This chapter details the qualitative empirical study, explaining the development of interview guidelines and the selection and analysis of expert insights from international management positions.
4 Discussion: The results of the empirical research are compared with theoretical literature to evaluate the practical implications, challenges, and limitations of AI in corporate leadership.
5 Conclusion and Practical Implications: The final chapter summarizes the findings, offering future scenarios for the integration of AI in business and formulating recommendations for leadership practice.
Keywords
leadership, artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, management, executives, organizational change, corporate strategy, AI implementation, leadership style, digital leadership, decision-making, expert interviews, business efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The research explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and corporate leadership, addressing how technology influences current and future management practices.
What are the primary thematic fields covered?
The study spans leadership theory, the technical basics of AI (including machine learning and deep learning), and the pragmatic challenges of implementing these technologies in corporate organizational structures.
What is the central research question?
The paper asks what direct influence and impact artificial intelligence has on corporate leadership and its leaders, and how these changes shape future management requirements.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The work utilizes a two-fold approach: a systematic literature review covering both international scientific sources and a qualitative empirical study conducted via expert interviews with executives.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body examines historical and modern leadership styles, the rapid evolution of AI, the theoretical impact of technology on workforce and strategy, and empirical perspectives from industry leaders.
What are the main keywords characterizing this research?
The research is centered on terms like leadership, artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, management, and organizational change.
Do the experts feel AI currently plays a significant role in corporate leadership?
The interviewed experts generally indicate that while AI is used for efficiency in operational tasks, its active, autonomous use in decision-making or as a direct replacement for leadership roles is not yet established.
Why are companies hesitant to fully implement AI in management?
Reasons cited include ethical concerns, potential AI bias, difficulties in technical integration, high costs, and a lack of clear strategy or technical understanding among leadership.
What does the book suggest for the future of leaders in an AI-driven age?
It emphasizes the need for a 'middle way,' where leaders balance AI-supported decision-making with independent, human-centric leadership, supported by a strong understanding of technical and data strategies.
- Citar trabajo
- Anonym (Autor), 2023, Corporate Leadership. The Influence of Artificial Intelligence, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1354767
