FROM EFFICIENCY TO ETHICS: MANAGERIAL PERCEPTIONS OF AI IN HR DECISION MAKING

Robin C Ladwig; Irfan KHAN

FROM EFFICIENCY TO ETHICS: MANAGERIAL PERCEPTIONS OF AI IN HR DECISION MAKING

Research output: A Conference proceeding or a Chapter in Book › Conference contribution › peer-review

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly employed to streamline managers’ responsibilities concerning human resource management (HRM) tasks, particularly in performance management. While it enhances efficiency, ethical concerns around fairness, accountability, and transparency remain. This multi-method study investigates managers’ perceptions of AI as a social agent and applies an ethical framework emphasising fairness, accountability, and transparency to assess its use. Preliminary survey findings suggest AI is challenging to use in HR contexts due to opaque decision-making, highlighting that AI rather reframes than displaces managerial judgment. Managers often seek human validation from colleagues when uncertain, indicating limited trust in AI compared to human counterparts. Understanding how responsibility is attributed to AI can further inform the development of ethical guidelines and practical organisational tools.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	38th ANZAM CONFERENCE DEAKIN BUSINESS SCHOOL Conference Proceedings
Editors	Zitong Sheng, Jeff Shao, Mike Bengough, Michael Callaghan, Virangi Mendis
Publisher	ANZAM (Australian and New Zealand Academic of Management)
Pages	457-468
Number of pages	12
ISBN (Print)	9781764527200
Publication status	Published - Feb 2026
Event	38th ANZAM Conference - Geelong, Australia Duration: 2 Dec 2025 → 4 Dec 2025 https://anzamconference.org/

Conference

Conference	38th ANZAM Conference
Country/Territory	Australia
City	Geelong
Period	2/12/25 → 4/12/25
Internet address	https://anzamconference.org/

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https://www.anzam.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Proceedings-ANZAM-Papers-and-Abstracts-2025.pdf

Cite this

Ladwig, R. C., & KHAN, I. (2026). FROM EFFICIENCY TO ETHICS: MANAGERIAL PERCEPTIONS OF AI IN HR DECISION MAKING. In Z. Sheng, J. Shao, M. Bengough, M. Callaghan, & V. Mendis (Eds.), 38th ANZAM CONFERENCE DEAKIN BUSINESS SCHOOL Conference Proceedings (pp. 457-468). ANZAM (Australian and New Zealand Academic of Management). https://www.anzam.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Proceedings-ANZAM-Papers-and-Abstracts-2025.pdf

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title = "FROM EFFICIENCY TO ETHICS: MANAGERIAL PERCEPTIONS OF AI IN HR DECISION MAKING",

abstract = "Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly employed to streamline managers{\textquoteright} responsibilities concerning human resource management (HRM) tasks, particularly in performance management. While it enhances efficiency, ethical concerns around fairness, accountability, and transparency remain. This multi-method study investigates managers{\textquoteright} perceptions of AI as a social agent and applies an ethical framework emphasising fairness, accountability, and transparency to assess its use. Preliminary survey findings suggest AI is challenging to use in HR contexts due to opaque decision-making, highlighting that AI rather reframes than displaces managerial judgment. Managers often seek human validation from colleagues when uncertain, indicating limited trust in AI compared to human counterparts. Understanding how responsibility is attributed to AI can further inform the development of ethical guidelines and practical organisational tools. ",

keywords = "AI Trust and Accountability, Ethical Decision-Making, Fairness in AI Systems, Managerial Perceptions of AI, Performance Management Reviews",

author = "Ladwig, \{Robin C\} and Irfan KHAN",

year = "2026",

month = feb,

language = "English",

isbn = "9781764527200",

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editor = "Zitong Sheng and Jeff Shao and Bengough, \{Mike \} and Michael Callaghan and Virangi Mendis",

booktitle = "38th ANZAM CONFERENCE DEAKIN BUSINESS SCHOOL Conference Proceedings",

publisher = "ANZAM (Australian and New Zealand Academic of Management)",

note = "38th ANZAM Conference ; Conference date: 02-12-2025 Through 04-12-2025",

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Ladwig, RC & KHAN, I 2026, FROM EFFICIENCY TO ETHICS: MANAGERIAL PERCEPTIONS OF AI IN HR DECISION MAKING. in Z Sheng, J Shao, M Bengough, M Callaghan & V Mendis (eds), 38th ANZAM CONFERENCE DEAKIN BUSINESS SCHOOL Conference Proceedings. ANZAM (Australian and New Zealand Academic of Management), pp. 457-468, 38th ANZAM Conference, Geelong, Victoria, Australia, 2/12/25. <https://www.anzam.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Proceedings-ANZAM-Papers-and-Abstracts-2025.pdf>

FROM EFFICIENCY TO ETHICS: MANAGERIAL PERCEPTIONS OF AI IN HR DECISION MAKING. / Ladwig, Robin C ; KHAN, Irfan.
38th ANZAM CONFERENCE DEAKIN BUSINESS SCHOOL Conference Proceedings. ed. / Zitong Sheng; Jeff Shao; Mike Bengough; Michael Callaghan; Virangi Mendis. ANZAM (Australian and New Zealand Academic of Management), 2026. p. 457-468.

Research output: A Conference proceeding or a Chapter in Book › Conference contribution › peer-review

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T1 - FROM EFFICIENCY TO ETHICS: MANAGERIAL PERCEPTIONS OF AI IN HR DECISION MAKING

AU - Ladwig, Robin C

AU - KHAN, Irfan

PY - 2026/2

Y1 - 2026/2

N2 - Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly employed to streamline managers’ responsibilities concerning human resource management (HRM) tasks, particularly in performance management. While it enhances efficiency, ethical concerns around fairness, accountability, and transparency remain. This multi-method study investigates managers’ perceptions of AI as a social agent and applies an ethical framework emphasising fairness, accountability, and transparency to assess its use. Preliminary survey findings suggest AI is challenging to use in HR contexts due to opaque decision-making, highlighting that AI rather reframes than displaces managerial judgment. Managers often seek human validation from colleagues when uncertain, indicating limited trust in AI compared to human counterparts. Understanding how responsibility is attributed to AI can further inform the development of ethical guidelines and practical organisational tools.

AB - Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly employed to streamline managers’ responsibilities concerning human resource management (HRM) tasks, particularly in performance management. While it enhances efficiency, ethical concerns around fairness, accountability, and transparency remain. This multi-method study investigates managers’ perceptions of AI as a social agent and applies an ethical framework emphasising fairness, accountability, and transparency to assess its use. Preliminary survey findings suggest AI is challenging to use in HR contexts due to opaque decision-making, highlighting that AI rather reframes than displaces managerial judgment. Managers often seek human validation from colleagues when uncertain, indicating limited trust in AI compared to human counterparts. Understanding how responsibility is attributed to AI can further inform the development of ethical guidelines and practical organisational tools.

KW - AI Trust and Accountability

KW - Ethical Decision-Making

KW - Fairness in AI Systems

KW - Managerial Perceptions of AI

KW - Performance Management Reviews

UR - https://anzamconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Call-for-Papers.pdf

UR - https://www.anzam.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/BC11085_ANZAM-Papers-and-Abstracts-2025-Conference-Solutions_V7-FINAL.pdf

M3 - Conference contribution

SN - 9781764527200

SP - 457

EP - 468

BT - 38th ANZAM CONFERENCE DEAKIN BUSINESS SCHOOL Conference Proceedings

A2 - Sheng, Zitong

A2 - Shao, Jeff

A2 - Bengough, Mike

A2 - Callaghan, Michael

A2 - Mendis, Virangi

PB - ANZAM (Australian and New Zealand Academic of Management)

T2 - 38th ANZAM Conference

Y2 - 2 December 2025 through 4 December 2025

ER -

FROM EFFICIENCY TO ETHICS: MANAGERIAL PERCEPTIONS OF AI IN HR DECISION MAKING

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