Insights From “The Machine Stops” to Better Understand Rational Assumptions in Algorithmic Decision Making and Its Implications for Organizations

This essay represents the synthesis of a long process of de-
liberation and intellectual struggle among the authors about
the wider topic of algorithmic decision making at work and in
society. Following Parkinson (2019), we underline that this
essay is our original work and that it was produced without
the help of an algorithm. In addition, some readers may find
it useful to learn more about the practical relevance of this
essay as reported in the news already (Hill, 2019; Kahn, 2019).
Former associate editor Jean Bartunek and the three re-
viewers provided most insightful and stimulating comments
during the review process. In addition, Christine Moser’s
comments, and the feedback from the MOTI seminar series at
Grenoble Ecole de Management, helped us consolidate the
arguments presented in the essay. We are indebted to all of
them for the intellectual generosity and guidance. A final
thank you from Dirk Lindebaum goes to Virginia Brown for
having left Forster’s short story as a small gift on his desk one
day. It was only a small gift, but its inspiration for this essay
was extraordinary.