IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/teinso/v83y2025ics0160791x25001526.html

Effortlessness as the measurement of the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and innovation: Towards the theory of relative AI

Author

Listed:
  • Sohn, Seuk Min

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to put forth a conceptual approach for describing the contribution of AI adoption using a novel concept of effortlessness. While the advancements in AI technology makes it imperative for management researchers to evaluate the consequences of business AI adoption, there appears to be a lack of productivity improvements from technology advancements, known as the modern productivity paradox. In this paper, an alternative perspective on this paradox is suggested, that there may be a more effective measure that may lead to describing the contribution of AI adoption; a framework that integrates the concepts of automation and augmentation is introduced to help examine the contribution of AI and its impact on innovation.

Suggested Citation

  • Sohn, Seuk Min, 2025. "Effortlessness as the measurement of the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and innovation: Towards the theory of relative AI," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:83:y:2025:i:c:s0160791x25001526
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.102962
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160791X25001526
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.102962?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sebastian Krakowski & Johannes Luger & Sebastian Raisch, 2023. "Artificial intelligence and the changing sources of competitive advantage," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(6), pages 1425-1452, June.
    2. Jarrahi, Mohammad Hossein, 2018. "Artificial intelligence and the future of work: Human-AI symbiosis in organizational decision making," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 61(4), pages 577-586.
    3. Daron Acemoglu & Pascual Restrepo, 2020. "The wrong kind of AI? Artificial intelligence and the future of labour demand," Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 13(1), pages 25-35.
    4. Christian Engel & Philipp Ebel & Jan Marco Leimeister, 2022. "Cognitive automation," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 32(1), pages 339-350, March.
    5. Haefner, Naomi & Wincent, Joakim & Parida, Vinit & Gassmann, Oliver, 2021. "Artificial intelligence and innovation management: A review, framework, and research agenda✰," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    6. Dwivedi, Yogesh K. & Hughes, Laurie & Ismagilova, Elvira & Aarts, Gert & Coombs, Crispin & Crick, Tom & Duan, Yanqing & Dwivedi, Rohita & Edwards, John & Eirug, Aled & Galanos, Vassilis & Ilavarasan, , 2021. "Artificial Intelligence (AI): Multidisciplinary perspectives on emerging challenges, opportunities, and agenda for research, practice and policy," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    7. Erik Brynjolfsson & Seon Tae Kim & Joo Hee Oh, 2024. "The Attention Economy: Measuring the Value of Free Goods on the Internet," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 35(3), pages 978-991, September.
    8. David Kreitmeir & Paul A. Raschky, 2024. "The Heterogeneous Productivity Effects of Generative AI," Papers 2403.01964, arXiv.org, revised Jun 2024.
    9. Erik Brynjolfsson & Tom Mitchell & Daniel Rock, 2018. "What Can Machines Learn, and What Does It Mean for Occupations and the Economy?," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 108, pages 43-47, May.
    10. Dominik Dellermann & Philipp Ebel & Matthias Söllner & Jan Marco Leimeister, 2019. "Hybrid Intelligence," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 61(5), pages 637-643, October.
    11. Hagedoorn, John & Cloodt, Myriam, 2003. "Measuring innovative performance: is there an advantage in using multiple indicators?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(8), pages 1365-1379, September.
    12. repec:osf:socarx:gnd4c_v1 is not listed on IDEAS
    13. Margaret A. Peteraf & Mark E. Bergen, 2003. "Scanning dynamic competitive landscapes: a market‐based and resource‐based framework," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(10), pages 1027-1041, October.
    14. Mariani, Marcello M. & Machado, Isa & Magrelli, Vittoria & Dwivedi, Yogesh K., 2023. "Artificial intelligence in innovation research: A systematic review, conceptual framework, and future research directions," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    15. Christian Janiesch & Patrick Zschech & Kai Heinrich, 2021. "Machine learning and deep learning," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 31(3), pages 685-695, September.
    16. Scott L. Newbert, 2007. "Empirical research on the resource‐based view of the firm: an assessment and suggestions for future research," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(2), pages 121-146, February.
    17. Erik Brynjolfsson & Avinash Collis & W. Erwin Diewert & Felix Eggers & Kevin J. Fox, 2020. "Measuring the Impact of Free Goods on Real Household Consumption," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 110, pages 25-30, May.
    18. Erik Brynjolfsson, 2022. "The Turing Trap: The Promise & Peril of Human-Like Artificial Intelligence," Papers 2201.04200, arXiv.org.
    19. Huang, Ming-Hui & Rust, Roland T., 2022. "A Framework for Collaborative Artificial Intelligence in Marketing," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 98(2), pages 209-223.
    20. David J. Teece & Gary Pisano & Amy Shuen, 1997. "Dynamic capabilities and strategic management," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 18(7), pages 509-533, August.
    21. Chad Syverson, 2017. "Challenges to Mismeasurement Explanations for the US Productivity Slowdown," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 31(2), pages 165-186, Spring.
    22. William F. Sharpe, 1964. "Capital Asset Prices: A Theory Of Market Equilibrium Under Conditions Of Risk," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 19(3), pages 425-442, September.
    23. Czarnitzki, Dirk & Fernández, Gastón P. & Rammer, Christian, 2023. "Artificial intelligence and firm-level productivity," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 188-205.
    24. Sturm, Timo & Gerlach, Jin & Pumplun, Luisa & Mesbah, Neda & Peters, Felix & Tauchert, Christoph & Nan, Ning & Buxmann, Peter, 2021. "Coordinating Human and Machine Learning for Effective Organizational Learning," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 125653, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    25. Constance E. Helfat & Aseem Kaul & David J. Ketchen & Jay B. Barney & Olivier Chatain & Harbir Singh, 2023. "Renewing the resource‐based view: New contexts, new concepts, and new methods," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(6), pages 1357-1390, June.
    26. Giacomo Damioli & Vincent Van Roy & Daniel Vertesy, 2021. "The impact of artificial intelligence on labor productivity," Eurasian Business Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 11(1), pages 1-25, March.
    27. Sagarika Mishra & Michael T. Ewing & Holly B. Cooper, 2022. "Artificial intelligence focus and firm performance," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 50(6), pages 1176-1197, November.
    28. Makarius, Erin E. & Mukherjee, Debmalya & Fox, Joseph D. & Fox, Alexa K., 2020. "Rising with the machines: A sociotechnical framework for bringing artificial intelligence into the organization," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 262-273.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Uršič, Dejan & Čater, Tomaž, 2025. "Digital innovation in management and business: A comprehensive review, multi-level framework, and future research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    2. Torrent-Sellens, Joan, 2024. "Digital transition, data-and-tasks crowd-based economy, and the shared social progress: Unveiling a new political economy from a European perspective," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    3. Han, Wucheng & Zhu, Weijie & Song, Zhaoli & Lu, Ruoyu, 2025. "Innovative resources driven artificial intelligence orientation: The moderating role of environmental and executives’ characteristics," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    4. Kristina McElheran & J. Frank Li & Erik Brynjolfsson & Zachary Kroff & Emin Dinlersoz & Lucia Foster & Nikolas Zolas, 2024. "AI adoption in America: Who, what, and where," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(2), pages 375-415, March.
    5. Torrent-Sellens, Joan & Enache-Zegheru, Mihaela & Ficapal-Cusí, Pilar, 2025. "Twin transitions or a meeting of strangers? Unravelling the effects of AI and innovations on economic, social and environmental MSMEs sustainability," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    6. Alexandra Kirkby & Carsten Baumgarth & Jörg Henseler, 2025. "Welcome, new brand colleague! A conceptual framework for efficient and effective human–AI co-creation for creative brand voice," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 32(5), pages 385-399, September.
    7. Ritala, Paavo & Aaltonen, Päivi & Ruokonen, Mika & Nemeh, Andre, 2024. "Developing industrial AI capabilities: An organisational learning perspective," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    8. Wang, Yongqin & Liu, Fuxing, 2025. "Impact of artificial intelligence innovation on food company performance," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    9. Sullivan, Yulia & Fosso Wamba, Samuel, 2024. "Artificial intelligence and adaptive response to market changes: A strategy to enhance firm performance and innovation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    10. Weiguang Wang & Guodong (Gordon) Gao & Ritu Agarwal, 2024. "Friend or Foe? Teaming Between Artificial Intelligence and Workers with Variation in Experience," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 70(9), pages 5753-5775, September.
    11. Volkmar, Gioia & Fischer, Peter M. & Reinecke, Sven, 2022. "Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Exploring drivers, barriers, and future developments in marketing management," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 599-614.
    12. Zhou, Qiwei & Chen, Keyu & Cheng, Shuang, 2024. "Bringing employee learning to AI stress research: A moderated mediation model," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    13. Modgil, Sachin & Gupta, Shivam & Kar, Arpan Kumar & Tuunanen, Tuure, 2025. "How could Generative AI support and add value to non-technology companies – A qualitative study," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    14. Keding, Christoph & Meissner, Philip, 2021. "Managerial overreliance on AI-augmented decision-making processes: How the use of AI-based advisory systems shapes choice behavior in R&D investment decisions," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    15. Ma, Dechao & Wu, Weiwei, 2024. "Does artificial intelligence drive technology convergence? Evidence from Chinese manufacturing companies," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    16. Zahlan, Ahmed, 2025. "Strategic resource mobilization for AI entrepreneurship in healthcare: Qualitative insights from startup founders," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    17. Shore, Adam & Tiwari, Manisha & Tandon, Priyanka & Foropon, Cyril, 2024. "Building entrepreneurial resilience during crisis using generative AI: An empirical study on SMEs," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    18. Talaei-Khoei, Amir & Yang, Alan T. & Masialeti, Masialeti, 2024. "How does incorporating ChatGPT within a firm reinforce agility-mediated performance? The moderating role of innovation infusion and firms’ ethical identity," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    19. Ida Merete Enholm & Emmanouil Papagiannidis & Patrick Mikalef & John Krogstie, 2022. "Artificial Intelligence and Business Value: a Literature Review," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 24(5), pages 1709-1734, October.
    20. Wang, Linhui & Cao, Zhanglu & Dong, Zhiqing, 2023. "Are artificial intelligence dividends evenly distributed between profits and wages? Evidence from the private enterprise survey data in China," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 342-356.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:83:y:2025:i:c:s0160791x25001526. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/technology-in-society .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.