Accepted author manuscript, 475 KB, PDF document
Available under license: CC BY: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Final published version, 272 KB, PDF document
Available under license: CC BY: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Final published version
Licence: CC BY: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Accommodating machine learning algorithms in professional service firms
AU - Faulconbridge, James
AU - Sarwar, Atif
AU - Spring, Martin
PY - 2024/7/31
Y1 - 2024/7/31
N2 - Machine learning algorithms, as one form of artificial intelligence, are significant for professional work because they create the possibility for some predictions, interpretations and judgements that inform decision-making to be made by algorithms. However, little is known about whether it is possible to transform professional work to incorporate machine learning while also addressing negative responses from professionals whose work is changed by inscrutable algorithms. Through original empirical analysis of the effects of machine learning algorithms on the work of accountants and lawyers, this paper identifies the role of accommodating machine learning algorithms in professional service firms. Accommodating machine learning algorithms involves strategic responses that both justify adoption in the context of the possibilities and new contributions of machine learning algorithms and respond to the algorithms’ limitations and opaque and inscrutable nature. The analysis advances understanding of the processes that enable or inhibit the cooperative adoption of artificial intelligence in professional service firms and develops insights relevant when examining the long-term impacts of machine learning algorithms as they become ever more sophisticated.
AB - Machine learning algorithms, as one form of artificial intelligence, are significant for professional work because they create the possibility for some predictions, interpretations and judgements that inform decision-making to be made by algorithms. However, little is known about whether it is possible to transform professional work to incorporate machine learning while also addressing negative responses from professionals whose work is changed by inscrutable algorithms. Through original empirical analysis of the effects of machine learning algorithms on the work of accountants and lawyers, this paper identifies the role of accommodating machine learning algorithms in professional service firms. Accommodating machine learning algorithms involves strategic responses that both justify adoption in the context of the possibilities and new contributions of machine learning algorithms and respond to the algorithms’ limitations and opaque and inscrutable nature. The analysis advances understanding of the processes that enable or inhibit the cooperative adoption of artificial intelligence in professional service firms and develops insights relevant when examining the long-term impacts of machine learning algorithms as they become ever more sophisticated.
KW - accounting
KW - algorithms
KW - artificial intelligence
KW - interviews
KW - law
KW - machine learning
KW - professional service firms
U2 - 10.1177/01708406241252930
DO - 10.1177/01708406241252930
M3 - Journal article
VL - 45
SP - 1009
EP - 1037
JO - Organization Studies
JF - Organization Studies
SN - 0170-8406
IS - 7
ER -