Cyber-Social Consensus: Proposing a Human-in-the-Loop Algorithm for Automated Decision-Making in Multi-Stakeholder Settings

Business applications in multi-stakeholder settings use automated decision-making algorithms to increase efficiency and enable consensus in business processes. However, current algorithms for decision-making automation in business lack trust and transparency. Additionally, they can suffer from mistakes if stakeholders with limited digital literacy report no or wrong data to the algorithm. Allowing stakeholders to participate directly in decision-making processes has the potential to enhance acceptance of decisions and strengthen cooperation. This paper proposes the concept of Cyber-Social Consensus (CSC), an inclusive, trustworthy and transparent automated decision-making protocol that combines algorithms with human participation. Algorithmic automation is facilitated via blockchain-based smart contracts, human involvement via email communication as a traditional, widely-used tool to accommodate different levels of digital literacy. The proposed algorithmic CSC concept serves as a foundation for future research with the goal to expand extant literature on automated decision-making, algorithms and blockchain technology.