Keegan, Brendan and Dennehy, Denis and Naudé, Peter
(2022)
Implementing Artificial Intelligence in Traditional B2B Marketing Practices: An Activity Theory Perspective.
Information Systems Frontiers.
ISSN 1387-3326
Abstract
Anecdotal evidence suggests that artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are highly effective in digital marketing and rapidly
growing in popularity in the context of business-to-business (B2B) marketing. Yet empirical research on AI-powered B2B
marketing, and particularly on the socio-technical aspects of its use, is sparse. This study uses Activity Theory (AT) as a
theoretical lens to examine AI-powered B2B marketing as a collective activity system, and to illuminate the contradictions
that emerge when adopting and implementing AI into traditional B2B marketing practices. AT is appropriate in the context
of this study, as it shows how contradictions act as a motor for change and lead to transformational changes, rather than
viewing tensions as a threat to prematurely abandon the adoption and implementation of AI in B2B marketing. Based on
eighteen interviews with industry and academic experts, the study identifies contradictions with which marketing researchers
and practitioners must contend. We show that these contradictions can be culturally or politically challenging to confront,
and even when resolved, can have both intended and unintended consequences.
| Item Type: |
Article
|
| Keywords: |
Artificial Intelligence; Activity Theory; B2B Marketing; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Business |
| Item ID: |
18068 |
| Identification Number: |
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-022-10294-1 |
| Depositing User: |
Brendan Keegan
|
| Date Deposited: |
24 Jan 2024 16:19 |
| Journal or Publication Title: |
Information Systems Frontiers |
| Publisher: |
Springer Verlag |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
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