Doctoral dissertation: Managerial algorithms reshape the arena of work
In his doctoral dissertation in the field of management, Niilo Noponen examined the impacts of algorithmic management at the level of individuals, organisations and society.
Public and academic discussions are filled with speculation about which occupations and jobs artificial intelligence will eliminate first. Noponen’s dissertation shows, however, that one professional group, whose work tasks have been greatly influenced by technological development, is managers.
“Even though the Terminator scenarios where an AI application takes command over an entire company are not realistic,” Noponen says, “managerial algorithms can already be used in almost every managerial task, from recruitment to supervising remote work.”
Previous research has, for a good reason, focused on challenges workers face in platform companies. Noponen observed, however, that the challenging experiences of platform work are not necessarily related directly to managerial algorithms, but rather to other working conditions and the vulnerable position of platform workers as microentrepreneurs. In addition, the impacts of managerial algorithms in most traditional forms of enterprises as well as their enabling potential have received less attention.
Trust is emphasized in future of work
As remote work has become more common, employers may feel more tempted to use various tools for work supervision. However, given the limited research on the advantages and disadvantages of these software applications, companies should carefully consider the costs of managerial applications before making such investments. This consideration should extend beyond the financial bottom line to include the potential impact on trust.
“Companies should use managerial algorithms to concentrate on developing self-direction and coordination instead of enhancing control,” Noponen states.
The public defence of Niilo Noponen’s doctoral dissertation Algorithmic management and its individual, organisational and societal impacts takes place on Friday, 14 February 2025 at noon in Agora auditorium 2. His opponent is Professor Christian Fieseler (Norwegian Business School, Norway) and the custos is Senior University Lecturer Tommi Auvinen (Ģֱ). The language of the event is English.
You can view the event remotely .
View Niilo Noponen’s doctoral dissertation .
Niilo Noponen graduated in 2010 from Cygnaeus Upper Secondary School in Jyväskylä. He completed his Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration) degree in 2019 at Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics, after which he started his dissertation research in January 2020 as a part of the REDAS research group and the EWIDE profiling area. Noponen has earlier worked at the Ģֱ as a research assistant, and in 2022 he worked as a project researcher in the ESF-funded DigiHR project. At present, he is working as a project researcher at the Ģֱ in a project entitled , which is funded by the Council of Strategic Research (STN).
Further information:
Niilo Noponen
Project researcher
Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics
niilo.v.noponen@jyu.fi
+358 400 761 063
