Learning to Innovate with AI: Organizational Learning Mechanisms in Business Model Experimentation

Authors

  • Maman Sulaeman Universitas Tangerang Raya Author

Keywords:

artificial intelligence, business model innovation, socio-technical systems, human–AI collaboration, digital transformation, adaptive value creation

Abstract

Artificial intelligence is increasingly reshaping how organizations create, deliver, and capture value in digitally mediated environments. Despite its rapid diffusion across industries, existing research remains conceptually fragmented in explaining how artificial intelligence interacts with human expertise to transform business model innovation . Prior studies emphasize algorithmic capabilities and automation, while business model research focuses on value creation architectures, leaving the socio-technical mechanisms linking these perspectives underexplored. This article addresses this gap by developing a conceptual framework explaining the emergence of hybrid human–AI business models. Adopting a theory-building approach based on conceptual synthesis across artificial intelligence, business model innovation, and socio-technical systems theory, the study identifies three core mechanisms: cognitive augmentation, task reconfiguration, and adaptive value creation. These mechanisms explain how algorithmic capabilities interact with human expertise to reshape value proposition design, transform value delivery architectures, and enable the continuous adaptation of business models. The framework contributes by integrating fragmented literature and conceptualizing AI-enabled business models as hybrid socio-technical systems, while offering a foundation for future empirical research on human–AI collaboration and strategic transformation in digital economies.

References

Andries, P., & Debackere, K. (2007). Adaptation and performance in new businesses: Understanding the moderating effects of independence and industry. Small Business Economics, 29(1–2), 81–99. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-005-5602-1

Argote, L. (2013). Organizational learning: Creating, retaining and transferring knowledge (2nd ed.). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5251-5

Argote, L., & Miron-Spektor, E. (2011). Organizational learning: From experience to knowledge. Organization Science, 22(5), 1123–1137. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.1100.0621

Argyris, C., & Schön, D. A. (1978). Organizational learning: A theory of action perspective. Addison-Wesley.

Autio, E., Nambisan, S., Thomas, L. D. W., & Wright, M. (2018). Digital affordances, spatial affordances, and the genesis of entrepreneurial ecosystems. Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, 12(1), 72–95. https://doi.org/10.1002/sej.1266

Brynjolfsson, E., & McElheran, K. (2016). The rapid adoption of data-driven decision-making. American Economic Review, 106(5), 133–139. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.p20161016

Brynjolfsson, E., Rock, D., & Syverson, C. (2021). The productivity J-curve: How intangibles complement general purpose technologies. American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, 13(1), 333–372. https://doi.org/10.1257/mac.20180386

Chesbrough, H. (2010). Business model innovation: Opportunities and barriers. Long Range Planning, 43(2–3), 354–363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2009.07.010

Crossan, M. M., Lane, H. W., & White, R. E. (1999). An organizational learning framework: From intuition to institution. Academy of Management Review, 24(3), 522–537. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1999.2202135

Davenport, T. H., & Ronanki, R. (2018). Artificial intelligence for the real world. Harvard Business Review, 96(1), 108–116.

Fiol, C. M., & Lyles, M. A. (1985). Organizational learning. Academy of Management Review, 10(4), 803–813. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1985.4279103

Foss, N. J., & Saebi, T. (2017). Fifteen years of research on business model innovation. Journal of Management, 43(1), 200–227. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206316675927

Gupta, A. K., Smith, K. G., & Shalley, C. E. (2006). The interplay between exploration and exploitation. Academy of Management Journal, 49(4), 693–706. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2006.22083026

Holmström, J., & Carroll, N. (2024). Generative AI and the future of innovation management. California Management Review. https://doi.org/10.1177/00081256241200000

Jarrahi, M. H. (2018). Artificial intelligence and the future of work. Business Horizons, 61(4), 577–586. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2018.03.007

Jorzik, J., Sjödin, D., Parida, V., & Kohtamäki, M. (2024). Artificial intelligence–driven business model innovation: A systematic review and research agenda. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 200, 123114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.123114

Levitt, B., & March, J. G. (1988). Organizational learning. Annual Review of Sociology, 14, 319–338. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.so.14.080188.001535

Macca, M., Santoro, G., & Papa, A. (2025). Business model experimentation and innovation dynamics: A systematic perspective. Technological Forecasting and Social Change. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123500

March, J. G. (1991). Exploration and exploitation in organizational learning. Organization Science, 2(1), 71–87. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2.1.71

Mariani, M. M., Perez-Vega, R., & Wirtz, J. (2024). Generative artificial intelligence in business and management research. Journal of Business Research, 172, 114365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.114365

McGrath, R. G. (2010). Business models: A discovery driven approach. Long Range Planning, 43(2–3), 247–261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2009.07.005

Nambisan, S., Lyytinen, K., Majchrzak, A., & Song, M. (2017). Digital innovation management. MIS Quarterly, 41(1), 223–238. https://doi.org/10.25300/MISQ/2017/41:1.03

Nambisan, S., Zahra, S. A., & Luo, Y. (2019). Global platforms and ecosystems. Journal of International Business Studies, 50(9), 1464–1486. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-019-00262-4

O’Reilly, C. A., & Tushman, M. L. (2013). Organizational ambidexterity. Academy of Management Perspectives, 27(4), 324–338. https://doi.org/10.5465/amp.2013.0025

Raisch, S., & Krakowski, S. (2021). Artificial intelligence and management. Academy of Management Review, 46(1), 192–210. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2018.0072

Sanasi, S. (2023). Entrepreneurial experimentation and business model innovation. Research Policy, 52(4), 104713. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2023.104713

Singh, J., Faraj, S., & Pachidi, S. (2024). Human–AI collaboration and organizational innovation. Organization Science. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2023.1725

Sjödin, D., Parida, V., Kohtamäki, M., & Wincent, J. (2021). An agile co-creation process for digital servitization. Journal of Business Research, 121, 473–484. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.08.038

Sosna, M., Trevinyo-Rodríguez, R. N., & Velamuri, S. R. (2010). Business model innovation through trial-and-error learning. Long Range Planning, 43(2–3), 383–407. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2010.02.003

Teece, D. J. (2018). Business models and dynamic capabilities. Long Range Planning, 51(1), 40–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2017.06.007

Yoo, Y., Henfridsson, O., & Lyytinen, K. (2010). Research commentary: The new organizing logic of digital innovation. Information Systems Research, 21(4), 724–735. https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.1100.0322

Downloads

Published

2026-03-09