Strategic Management Theory in the Age of AI: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the foundations of strategic management, yet scholarship remains fragmented. This paper presents a systematic review of 20 recent articles in leading strategy journals to synthesize what AI means for strategic management theory and to set a forward-looking, theory-led agenda. We map the literature into five domains: competitive advantage; organizational learning; strategic decision-making and governance; industry and ecosystem dynamics; and AI as a methodological tool. We then distill cross-cutting insights. Building on this synthesis, we advance a research agenda anchored in core strategy theories (e.g., RBV/KBV, TCE, Agency, Upper Echelons, Dynamic Capabilities, Real Options, Institutional Theory, Behavioral Theory of the Firm, and the Attention-Based View), emphasizing construct-linked measures, out-of-sample validation, and transparent reporting for cumulative progress. We conclude by positioning AI as a central force in the continued development of strategic management theory.