How to Automate Operations Without Breaking the Bank

Managers at small and midsize businesses may perceive automation as too expensive to be feasible, but research has identified strategies that make implementing it possible even on a tight budget. A framework for evaluating the five main factors that can reduce — or increase — the cost of an automation project can help leaders make more informed decisions about whether process automation might be a viable and cost-effective option for their company.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
MIT Sloan Management Review
Published
2025-08-11
DOI
https://doi.org/10.63383/asvl4642
Primary Topic
Scheduling and Optimization Algorithms
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

How to Automate Operations Without Breaking the Bank

Jaime Macias-Aguayo, Duncan McFarlane, María Jesús Sáenz
MIT Sloan Management Review
Scheduling and Optimization Algorithms
article

How to Automate Operations Without Breaking the Bank

Jaime Macias-Aguayo, Duncan McFarlane, María Jesús Sáenz
article en

Abstract

Managers at small and midsize businesses may perceive automation as too expensive to be feasible, but research has identified strategies that make implementing it possible even on a tight budget. A framework for evaluating the five main factors that can reduce — or increase — the cost of an automation project can help leaders make more informed decisions about whether process automation might be a viable and cost-effective option for their company.

MIT Sloan Management Review
Openalex Percentile: Top 71%
Scheduling and Optimization Algorithms
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.

How to Automate Operations Without Breaking the Bank — Jaime Macias-Aguayo, Duncan McFarlane, et al. · MIT Sloan Management Review (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS