Algorithms Creating Paradoxes of Power: Explore, Exploit, Embed, Embalm

Abstract

Algorithms play an increasing role in food retailing and distribution. Through a longitudinal study supported by qualitative interviews, we explore how such technologies have turned the sourcing of food into a highly automated transaction, moving from explore and exploit to embed and embalm. We demonstrate the impact that embedding algorithms can have on organizational processes and structures and that this may shift the balance of power within the value chain without being visible to management.