Artificial Intelligence as a Distributed Actor: Rethinking Organizational Theory Through Sociotechnical Networks

Hasibe Aysan

doi:10.47852/bonviewAIA52025546

Authors

Hasibe Aysan International Trade and Finance, Ostim Technical University, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6485-9824

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewAIA52025546

Keywords:

distributed agency, actor-network theory, sociomateriality, AI governance, organizational dynamics

Abstract

The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into organizational contexts is profoundly changing the fundamental assumptions in contemporary management and organizational theory. In response to these changes, this article introduces the Distributed Sociotechnical Agency Model (DSAM), a novel conceptual framework that synthesizes insights from Actor-Network Theory (ANT), sociomateriality, and principles of ethical governance. The DSAM framework conceptualizes AI as a distributed actor operating within complex networks and highlights three core dimensions: distributed agency, relational dynamics between human and non-human actors, and the imperative of ethical accountability. By using an integrated approach combining extensive literature review and analysis of real-life case studies, including a practical example involving an AI-driven university monitoring system, this study demonstrates how DSAM can facilitate more inclusive, user-friendly, flexible, responsive, and ethically aligned approaches to AI integration in organizations. To provide clarity and practical understanding, this article includes a detailed flowchart and a comparative table as well. Furthermore, recent academic studies and evolving policy developments are included in the discussion to strengthen the global relevance of the model. The article concludes by offering strategic recommendations for organizational governance and identifying promising directions for future empirical research.

Received: 27 February 2025 | Revised: 14 July 2025 | Accepted: 22 August 2025

Conflicts of Interest

The author declares that he has no conflicts of interest to this work.

Data Availability Statement

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analyzed in this study.

Author Contribution Statement

Hasibe Aysan: Conceptualization, Methodology, Data curation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing, Visualization, Supervision, Project administration.