Leadership talk with Dr. Fabiola H. Gerpott

Abstract

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly embedded in organizational life, management scholars face at least three challenges: (1) examining AI as a transformative phenomenon (i.e., the content perspective), (2) determining how to rigorously define and operationalize AI in research (i.e., the methodological perspective), and (3) leveraging AI to support and enhance the research process itself (i.e., the tool perspective). 

In this talk, I will reflect on my own scholarly trajectory, moving from an initial focus on the content perspective (e.g., studying how employees respond to unethical advice from AI leaders or exploring “The Now, New, and Next of Digital Leadership”) toward addressing the operationalization-related dimensions of AI in research. Drawing on a methodological review of empirical studies across management disciplines, I will outline common pitfalls in current AI research, including vague operationalizations, over-reliance on hypothetical AI scenarios, and a lack of reporting transparency. I will end by showcasing practical tools to help scholars design more rigorous and credible studies on and with AI. Based on this, we can have a discussion aimed at equipping participants with both a sharper methodological toolkit and a more critical perspective for engaging with one of the most consequential technologies of our time.

The Leadership Talks series

Leadership Talks is a series of seminars about topics related to leadership, change and sustainability, project management and organizational psychology, hosted by the Department of Leadership and Organizational Behavior at BI Norwegian Business School.