Introduction
The Infinite Reach of Leadership in the Algorithmic Age: Power, Ethics, and Accountability in Organizational Development
This special issue explores the profound and evolving impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on leadership, power dynamics, and organizational accountability. As AI systems become integral to decision-making, strategy, and operations, their influence on organizational structures and societal outcomes demands critical examination. The issue challenges conventional leadership paradigms, offering fresh perspectives on how organizations must adapt to thrive ethically and sustainably in the algorithmic age.
The introduction of AI as “agentic agents” in organizations raises critical questions: How should AI systems be integrated into organizational charts and governance frameworks? Should AI systems be accounted for on balance sheets as strategic assets, with associated costs and risks akin to employees? What ethical and legal considerations emerge when AI-driven systems make errors that lead to societal or organizational harm? These questions serve as a foundation for this issue’s exploration of AI’s integration into leadership and its far-reaching implications.
This special issue highlights the role of leadership in mitigating AI's unintended consequences. Topics include the complexities of maintaining AI systems, such as addressing biases, ensuring ethical decision-making, and balancing innovation with accountability. By examining generative and predictive AI, the issue investigates how these technologies can complement each other to maximize creativity, operational efficiency, and market impact. It further evaluates how AI-driven innovation intersects with regulatory frameworks and societal challenges, such as data privacy, misinformation, and global inequities.
Leadership in an AI-driven world also requires cultural and global awareness. This issue explores the cross-border implications of AI governance, emphasizing how leaders navigate varying regulatory frameworks and cultural values while implementing AI systems responsibly. Moreover, it examines how AI influences democratic processes and reshapes global power dynamics, urging leaders to address these challenges with transparency and inclusivity.
The issue also addresses the gaps in leadership education, calling for a re-evaluation of business curricula. By integrating AI’s ethical and societal dimensions into leadership training, future leaders can be equipped to manage the complexities of algorithmic systems. The issue critiques sanitized success narratives, such as the “genius founder” myth, and emphasizes the importance of understanding AI’s role in societal impact, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement.
This special issue will feature original research, theoretical contributions, and practical case studies that align with global challenges and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Key areas of focus include:
- Developing ethical frameworks for AI governance.
- Exploring synergies between generative and predictive AI for organizational strategy.
- Examining the societal impacts of AI on equity, labor, and environmental sustainability.
- Integrating systems thinking and cross-disciplinary approaches into leadership models.
- Analyzing global perspectives on AI governance and regulation.
By addressing these themes, the special issue aims to equip leaders, researchers, and practitioners with actionable insights to navigate AI’s transformative potential responsibly. It challenges organizations to move beyond short-term metrics and embrace strategic alignment that prioritizes innovation, equity, and accountability. This is not only essential for achieving sustainable progress but also for ensuring AI serves as a tool for societal good rather than another missed opportunity in the cycle of innovation.
List of topic areas
- 1. Redefining Organizational Power in the AI Era
Themes:- The New Power Brokers: Examining how AI systems redefine organizational hierarchies, shifting influence from traditional leaders to technical architects.
Agentic Agents in the Organizational Chart: How should AI systems, as "agentic agents," be represented in organizational structures?
Algorithmic Decision-Making: Balancing automation and human oversight to ensure ethical outcomes and strategic alignment.
- 2. Accounting for AI in Organizational Strategy and Governance
Themes:- AI in Financial and Strategic Reporting: Should AI maintenance, operational costs, and ROI be integrated into balance sheets and strategic plans akin to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance?
Predictive and Generative AI: Exploring synergies between predictive AI (efficiency) and generative AI (creativity) to maximize ROI and business impact.
Accountability Frameworks: How can organizations define responsibility for AI-driven errors in lawsuits or public controversies?
- 3. Leadership and the Ethics of Algorithmic Maintenance
Themes:- Agentic Maintenance: What are the unconsidered consequences of maintaining AI agents, from biases to ethical lapses?
Labor and Automation: Contrasting human emotional responses (e.g., resentment of poor management) with the systemic risks of poorly maintained AI systems.
Ethical Risk Mitigation: Establishing proactive leadership practices to address algorithmic bias and unintended consequences.
- 4. The Political and Cultural Impacts of AI on Leadership
Themes:Cultural Considerations in AI Governance: How do global variations in regulatory frameworks and cultural values shape AI adoption?
AI’s Role in Democratic Erosion: Examining how leadership decisions involving AI impact democratic institutions and public trust.
Global Power Dynamics: Leadership challenges in navigating cross-border implications of AI-driven innovation.
- 5. Reframing Leadership Education for an AI-Driven Future
Themes:- AI-Integrated Curriculum: Moving beyond traditional case studies to include the societal and ethical impacts of AI decisions.
The Genius Founder Myth: Teaching students to critically assess narratives of innovation in the context of regulatory, societal, and technological realities.
Building AI-Ethical Competencies: Developing frameworks to balance creativity, accountability, and long-term societal impact.
- 6. Methodologies and Frameworks for Organizational AI Leadership
Themes:- Systems Thinking: How can leaders use interdisciplinary approaches to integrate AI into organizational strategy and governance?
Ethical ROI Metrics: Defining metrics for AI’s broader impact on creativity, market disruption, and customer engagement.
Predictive Models: Tools for aligning AI investments with measurable business outcomes and long-term strategy.
- 7. Practical Applications and Real-World Implications
Themes:- Case Studies: Lessons from tech giants, oil and gas, and financial services on navigating AI’s challenges and opportunities.
Regulatory Alignment: Establishing compliance frameworks that bridge operational innovation and societal accountability.
Leadership Playbooks: Actionable strategies for managing AI’s transformative potential while mitigating risks.
Submissions Information
Submissions are made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. Registration and access are available at: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/lodj
Author guidelines must be strictly followed. Please see: https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/journal/lodj#jlp_author_guidelines
Authors should select (from the drop-down menu) the special issue title at the appropriate step in the submission process, i.e. in response to “Please select the issue you are submitting to”.
Submitted articles must not have been previously published, nor should they be under consideration for publication anywhere else, while under review for this journal.
Key deadlines
Closing date for manuscripts submission: 30th June 2025