MBA & Master Glossary
Complementarity Effect (AI)
Definition
The complementarity effect describes the productivity-enhancing role of AI: people who use AI tools skilfully solve complex problems faster, work more creatively and develop new business models. Economists warn that companies under short-term cost pressure often opt for substitution instead of investing in the long-term more valuable human–machine interplay. Which effect dominates is therefore primarily a leadership decision, not a technical one.
Example: "The complementarity effect appears when AI delivers analyses and humans make the decisions."
Why this matters for your MBA
"Complementarity Effect (AI)" is one of the terms you will come across when comparing MBA and Executive MBA programmes in Germany, Austria and Switzerland — in admission requirements, accreditation details or programme descriptions. On mba.de you can check how individual business schools handle it and compare programmes independently.
Source: mba.de – independent comparison portal since 2003.