Firms as Human–AI Collectives: How Agentic AI Reshapes Organizational Structure and Firm Boundaries

The emergence of agentic artificial intelligence (AI) systems capable of autonomous planning, decision-making, and coordination—signals a foundational shift in how firms are structured and how their boundaries are defined. This paper examines the firm as a human–AI collective, proposing that agentic AI functions not merely as a tool but as an organizational actor that reshapes internal roles, decision rights, and coordination mechanisms. Drawing on organizational theory, multi-agent systems, and digital economics, we develop a conceptual model illustrating how human–AI interaction reconfigures hierarchical structures, supports algorithmic governance, and transforms the firm’s capability landscape. We argue that agentic AI reduces traditional transaction costs, enables new forms of modular work, and promotes the platformization of firms, ultimately expanding or contracting firm boundaries in novel ways. The study contributes theoretical insights into hybrid organizational forms while offering strategic, governance, and policy implications for firms adopting AI-mediated structures. Our findings highlight the need for new governance frameworks, workforce strategies, and boundary definitions to manage increasingly complex human–AI collectives.