The Effects of Artificial Intelligence on Middle Management Skills: A Systematic Literature Review
Abstract
The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into business processes is fundamentally transforming the traditional role of middle managers, who provide the critical link between strategy and operations in organizational hierarchies. AI-driven automation and decision systems are assuming routine managerial tasks, compelling middle managers into a new role structure that demands higher-order cognitive, analytical, and social competencies. This study aims to analyze the changing responsibilities of middle managers in the age of AI, identify the new skills and behaviors expected from them through a systematic literature review, and explain the resulting competency transformation within a holistic framework. Within the scope of the research, 39 articles published between 2018 and 2025 in the Web of Science database were examined in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol. The findings indicate a shift in middle managers’ roles from operational supervision toward data-driven decision-making, human–AI collaboration design, and psychological empowerment. Cite this article as: Sancar S, Camcı A. Yapay zekanın orta düzey yönetim becerileri üzerindeki etkileri: Sistematik literatür taraması. Journal of Business Administration and Social Studies. 2026;10:0005. doi:10.5152/JBASS.2026.26005