The Lifecycle of Algorithmic Decision-Making Systems: Organizational Choices and Ethical Challenges

Abstract

In this viewpoint article we discuss algorithmic decision-making systems (ADMS), which we view as organizational sociotechnical systems with their use in practice having consequences within and beyond organizational boundaries. We build a framework that revolves around the ADMS lifecycle and propose that each phase challenges organizations with “choices” related to technical and processual characteristics – ways to design, implement and use these systems in practice. We argue that it is important that organizations make these strategic choices with awareness and responsibly, as ADMS’ consequences affect a broad array of stakeholders (the workforce, suppliers, customers and society at-large) and involve ethical considerations. With this article we make two main contributions. First, we identify key choices associated with the design, implementation and use in practice of ADMS in organizations, that build on past literature and are tied to timely industry-related examples. Second, we provide IS scholars with a broad research agenda that will promote the generation of new knowledge and original theorizing within the domain of the strategic applications of ADMS in organizations.