Exploratory Literature Review on Shared Leadership to Aid Collaboration and Function Allocation in Human-Autonomy Teams

Abstract

This research explores the potential of shared leadership as a complementary approach to function allocation within Human-Autonomy Teams (HATs), particularly in large, multi-agent contexts. Through a literature review of shared leadership in all-human organizational contexts, conducted using three databases, Web of Science, Engineering Village, and Google Scholar, the article identifies and outlines two mechanisms in shared leadership—decentralization and mutual influence—that appear promising for improving team processes and outcomes in HATs. This research underscores the need for developing frameworks or engineering guidance incorporating these mechanisms to enhance adaptability and performance in complex and dynamic environments.