The emergence of social robots: Adding physicality and agency to technology

TY - JOUR

T1 - The emergence of social robots

T2 - Adding physicality and agency to technology

AU - Ulhøi, John Parm

AU - Nørskov, Sladjana

PY - 2022/7

Y1 - 2022/7

N2 - This Perspective Paper discusses a special case of digitalization, namely social robots. Adding sociophysical and agentic properties to robots is likely to trigger new organizational and work dynamics. Despite high market expectations and increasing interest in robotics-related and broader interdisciplinary outlets, robotic technologies have attracted surprisingly little attention in the leading management outlets, thus leaving a gap in the existing high-impact management literature. This paper tries to fill in some of this void by discussing the commercial relevance of robotics and by identifying three main roles that social robots fulfill in real-life organizations. These roles set the directions for future and rigorous studies. Practical and policy implications identify some concerns relevant for decision-makers who seek to shape and steer robotics development and implementation.

AB - This Perspective Paper discusses a special case of digitalization, namely social robots. Adding sociophysical and agentic properties to robots is likely to trigger new organizational and work dynamics. Despite high market expectations and increasing interest in robotics-related and broader interdisciplinary outlets, robotic technologies have attracted surprisingly little attention in the leading management outlets, thus leaving a gap in the existing high-impact management literature. This paper tries to fill in some of this void by discussing the commercial relevance of robotics and by identifying three main roles that social robots fulfill in real-life organizations. These roles set the directions for future and rigorous studies. Practical and policy implications identify some concerns relevant for decision-makers who seek to shape and steer robotics development and implementation.

KW - Agency

KW - Collaboration

KW - Robot roles

KW - Social robots

KW - Work

U2 - 10.1016/j.jengtecman.2022.101703

DO - 10.1016/j.jengtecman.2022.101703

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0923-4748

VL - 65

JO - Journal of Engineering and Technology Management

JF - Journal of Engineering and Technology Management

M1 - 101703

ER -