Winning the GenAI-Race: Understanding the Organizational Prerequisites for GenAI Adoption and Value Creation.

As the rapid advancements in Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) continue to exert considerable pressure on organizations to innovate and adapt, this short paper investigates the interplay between GenAI and organizational dynamics, drawing upon socio-technical systems (STS) theory to explore the prerequisites for effective GenAI adoption within organizations. Based on a qualitative case study at a leading European educational institution that is at the forefront of GenAI adoption, this study provides a nuanced understanding of the socio-technical dynamics and organizational prerequisites at play in embracing GenAI, offering first insights on an actionable strategy for leaders aiming to harness GenAI's transformative potential. Our findings suggest that culture and leadership, including levers such as a growth mindset of the organization and a bias for action by leaders, are essential in fostering an environment conducive to GenAI adoption. Additionally, industries central to GenAI's disruptive potential are found to adopt the technology more rapidly.