Generative artificial intelligence in business processes: a critical analysis of management literature

Generative Artificial Intelligence represents one of the most disruptive innovations in today's technological and managerial landscape. This master's thesis critically examines the impact of Generative AI on key management functions through a structured literature review. By adopting a rigorous methodological approach, the most relevant and recent academic contributions on the application of generative models in business contexts have been selected, analyzed, and categorized. The analysis highlights significant transformations in decision-making processes, performance management, and organizational change, as well as in specific functional areas such as Accounting and Finance, Marketing, Business Consulting, and Human Resource Management. The review identifies major opportunities, including process automation, service personalization, and strategic decision support, alongside emerging risks related to ethics, governance, and managerial competencies. The thesis concludes with a critical synthesis of the main research streams, offering suggestions for future studies and reflecting on the evolving role of management professionals in the era of Generative AI.