Einav is Inspired by Organizational Dynamics

What is the best way to introduce AI into a company? For AFAIR researcher Einav Peretz-Andersson, the answer is clear: the entire organization must be engaged.

How did you become interested in organizational development?

“It all actually started during my military service. That’s when I became interested in organization and leadership. If you want to learn more about how an organization works, military training is a great place to start. You learn a lot about organizational operations, strategy, and leadership in a very hands-on way. There are no shortcuts, the hierarchy is clear, and you must learn how to make decisions. After completing my military service, I pursued a master’s degree in social dynamics at Tel Aviv University. Then I worked in the telecom industry as a marketing manager for quite a few years.”

How did you end up in Jönköping and at JU?

“Dynamics are important to me on a personal level too. One day, in the early 2000s, I woke up and felt that life had lost its sense of dynamism. So I went to a travel agency, bought a one-way ticket to Japan, quit my job, and sold everything I owned. Then I travelled the world with my backpack. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done in my life. Along the way, I met Anders from Bankeryd… I thought it would be fun to do another master’s degree, this time as an adult, and saw it as a good way to integrate into Swedish society. I decided to study for a master’s in Business Administration at Jönköping International Business School (JIBS). A job as a research assistant here eventually led to a PhD position in business administration. I’m also a senior lecturer in business administration and programme director for the AI Engineering master’s programme.”

In your research, you combine your interest in organizations with new technology?

“Yes, my research focuses on AI transformation and organizational change. How are organizations affected by new technology? What is happening and what will happen? At the moment, there is a lot of talk about the consequences of AI in various industries, but we must remember that most companies and organizations aren’t there yet. My research is conducted within the AFAIR framework and the ‘AI Adoption’ project, where we work to develop frameworks and methodologies for successfully implementing AI in both public and private organizations. Many organizations change when AI is introduced – this can involve everything from new HR and IT strategies to shifts in roles and policies. However, we don’t yet fully understand how these changes differ between organizations. We aim to gain a clearer picture of how and when AI transforms organizations, what the consequences are, and which strategies are effective. Our starting point is that strategic planning, organizational culture, and decision-making differ between the public and private sectors.”

How do you collaborate with organizations and companies in your research?

“As part of my dissertation, I lead two major projects in collaboration with Jönköping Municipality and the Jönköping-based Herenco Group, which owns several companies in the packaging and manufacturing industries. These are two completely different types of organizations, both of which have invited academia in a fantastic way. They have also welcomed JU students, and we’ve had several excellent workshops. One article in my dissertation is based on interviews with a company in the Herenco Group and shows how they approach the implementation of new technology. Timing, for instance, is critical – both in terms of organizational readiness and costs.”

What’s your personal opinion on the relationship between humans and AI?

“I think the discussion has become far too polarized. I believe we can find a middle ground. Humans are social beings who cannot thrive without interacting with each other. I want to believe that AI won’t replace that. Of course, some jobs will disappear because of AI, but others will emerge. Right now, there’s a significant lack of knowledge, and this is where our research comes in. AI is not a magic wand that can change everything. To implement new technology, you must first understand how processes within the organization are structured.”