Jim Kroes, professor in supply chain management, Shaun Mattingly, associate professor in management, and a coauthor, had their paper “AI as an emerging trend for managing employee efficiency in the retail and services industries,” published in Business Horizons.
Their study examines how companies are adopting generative artificial intelligence and what factors influence their approach. They analyzed public company data to understand which types of firms are using AI, how it affects their research and development spending and which industries are leading the way. The study finds that larger companies and those with lower employee efficiency are more likely to embrace AI, particularly in retail and service sectors. These firms tend to use AI to automate everyday tasks and expand their product lines, rather than to train or upskill their workers.
This research offers practical advice for business leaders on how to use AI effectively, especially for industries that need to significantly improve their employee productivity.