STUDENT RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS
Unleashing the Machine: Exploring the Dual Power of AI’s Agentic Behavior and Anthropomorphic Design in an Agent’s Decision-Making
Careers in the Rough: Paper Development Workshop.
Wehrle, K, Simosi, M., Li, C., & Roman, J.R. (2025). Presented at the 85th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management in Copenhagen, Denmark ( AOM 2025 ).
Pallepogu, J. P. (2025, May). ACM SIGMIS-CPR 2025: Computers and People Research Conference, Baylor University in Waco, Texas, United States.
Artificial intelligence (AI) use is transforming organizational decision-making. Much of the focus of existing deci - sion-making research has been on AI models’ ability to process vast datasets, automate routine tasks, and allow individ - uals to focus on higher-order thinking [1, 2]. This focus has primarily drawn on the bounded rationality model, which implies that human decision-makers operate within limits of cognitive capacity, time, and accessible information, often leading to satisfying rather than optimal decisions [3]. AI agents, though, unlike traditional decision-making tools, have two added unique characteristics: Agentic Behavior and Anthropomorphic presentation [4]. Agentic behavior allows the shaping of experiences and outcomes. The rapid progress in these AI’s based agents presents a risk where they are likely to drive agentic behavior themselves [5]. In addition, the anthropomorphic representation of these agents is likely going to lead to changes in how individuals interact with these agents [4]. This research investigates these two characteristics as they are juxtaposed with the decision-makers’ agentic behavior. Drawing from the research on agency theory as well as micro-structuration principles, this research aims to present a socio-technical perspective on employee decision-making. Agency Theory explains the relationship between principals (e.g., employers) and agents (e.g., employees or systems), where agents act on behalf of principals but may have misaligned interests, leading to potential conflicts [6]. In the context of AI, it functions as an agent for employees, filtering, analyzing, and presenting relevant information. Anthropomorphic presentation is defined as the tendency to imbue the real or imagined behavior of nonhuman agents with human-like char - acteristics, motivations, intentions, or emotions [7], including constant maturity. Researchers have argued that the interac - tion between humans and AI is likely to lead to a new agency, referred to as synthetic agency [8-10]. The key contribution of this research is to explain these interactions and how the variance in interactions can influence decision-making in an organization. The use of AI can be done in many different ways, depending on how well an individual appropriates the technology [11]. Applying this framework to AI, we can explore how AI agents interact with users, affect decision-making, and adopt human-like behaviors. For instance, AI may contribute new ideas, clarify information, or disagree, prompt - ing users to reconsider choices. Integrating these interaction types helps analyze how AI systems shape decision quality, trust, and perceived intelligence through structured, human-like interactions. This deeper understanding underscores the impact of AI in collaborative environments and emphasizes the need for transparency and ethical considerations in AI applications. By proposing a conceptual model, this study will enhance scholarly understanding of AI’s implications in the workplace while offering practical strategies to optimize employee engagement and decision-making in an AI-drive landscape. In addition, we hope that the model will provide practitioners with some guiding principles on how to mitigate the long-term risks of AI.
Careers in the Rough is a workshop that offers scholars an opportunity to receive feedback from leading careers scholars on their careers-related research proposals and near-final manuscripts. Prior to AOM, participants are asked to submit their work to one of two tracks. The first track, aimed at early Ph.D. students, allows participants to submit a well-de - veloped research proposal in the planning stage. The second track invites participants to submit a near-final manuscript. For both tracks, participants are asked to include a maximum 250-word description of a dilemma, question, or concern they wish to address during the PDW. Based on the research topic, we will create mentoring groups, consisting of two junior and two senior scholars, who are then tasked with reviewing the junior scholars’ research proposals (Track I) and/ or manuscripts (Track II) and providing constructive feedback, with the intention of facilitating junior scholars’ prog - ress towards publishing high-quality careers scholarship. During the two-hour long PDW, mentoring groups will meet to discuss their feedback on the research proposals/manuscripts, devoting about 50 minutes to each. Accomplished careers scholars with experience publishing high-impact research will serve as mentors. This session offers junior careers scholars both opportunities to receive constructive feedback on their research and to discuss the publication process and network with prominent careers scholars, who serve as editorial board members and associate editors of leading careers journals. As such, this session facilitates the publication of impactful careers scholarships and fosters the development of the next generation of careers scholars.
Symbolic Consumption as Self-Preservation: Psychological Vulnerabilities and Identity
Wilkerson, A. W. (2025) . Extended abstract presented at the Atlantic Marketing Association Conference ( AMA 2025 ), Portland, ME, September 11–13, 2025.
This extended abstract presents a conceptual study exploring why low-income consumers engage in luxury fashion con - sumption despite financial limitations. The research reframes these purchases as emotionally driven acts of identity repair, introducing the constructs of perceived social identity lock-in and moral self-validation to explain how consumers cope with exclusion and affirm self-worth through symbolic consumption. A conceptual model is proposed and a sequential mixed-methods design is outlined for future empirical testing. This work contributes to Transformative Consumer Re - search by centering emotional coping in aspirational consumption and offers practical insights for inclusive, dignity-based branding strategies. Progress towards publishing high-quality careers scholarship. During the two-hour long PDW, mento - ring groups will meet to discuss their feedback on the research proposals/manuscripts, devoting about 50 minutes to each. Accomplished careers scholars with experience publishing high-impact research will serve as mentors. This session offers junior careers scholars both opportunities to receive constructive feedback on their research and to discuss the publica - tion process and network with prominent careers scholars, who serve as editorial board members and associate editors of leading careers journals. As such, this session facilitates the publication of impactful careers scholarships and fosters the development of the next generation of careers scholars.
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