Managing Social Robotics and Socio-cultural Business Norms

This book explores the co-existence of humans and AI in business contexts. Though AI and social robots have become ubiquitous, there are still many challenges facing technological expansion, including a true understanding of abstract concepts, transfer of knowledge to novel application problems, transparency and security guarantees, and distinguishing between random and logically meaningful relationships. While machines are valuable tools, only humans are capable of recognizing values which are the key to ethics and socio-cultural norms. Further, human virtues such as emotional intelligence, wisdom, and courage are required for decision making in many (private and professional) situations where machines would lead to sub-optimal and/or ethically questionable business outcomes.

This book discusses how digital technology has emerged as a critical support system for organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic and how it can be used to complement human qualities that machines lack. It is divided into three sections that examine the complex world of AI and social robotics, digital technology and social media roles in business, and human actions that are embedded within socio-cultural business norms, such as international negotiations, that are not yet replaceable by AI.

For researchers interested in understanding these parallel worlds, this book assesses how can continue to not only coexist but mutually benefit the business ecosystem.

Anshu Saxena Arora is Associate Professor of Marketing in the School of Business and Public Administration at the University of the District of Columbia, USA.

Sabine Jentjens is Professor of Management at ISC Paris, France.

Amit Arora is Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management in the School of Business and Public Administration at the University of the District of Columbia, USA.

John R. McIntyre is Professor of Management in the College of Management, with a courtesy appointment in International Relations at the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at Georgia Tech, USA.

Mohamad Sepehri is Dean of the School of Business and Public Administration at the University of the District of Columbia, USA.