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The Hidden Value of Human Followers

Author

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  • Hattori, Keisuke

Abstract

Replacing a human follower with AI that supplies more input can reduce team output. With complementary effort, a leader works harder because a human follower observes this effort and responds with greater effort. AI that matches the follower's contribution removes this reason to work hard, so the leader works less and team output falls. In larger teams, the remaining human followers also work less. Profit-maximizing firms may nevertheless adopt AI that contributes more while the team produces less. Falling AI costs can trigger an output drop at adoption, followed by recovery. Replacing followers can mean discouraging leaders.

Suggested Citation

  • Hattori, Keisuke, 2026. "The Hidden Value of Human Followers," EconStor Preprints 344041, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:esprep:344041
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D23 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Organizational Behavior; Transaction Costs; Property Rights
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • M54 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Labor Management
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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