Can LLMs Aid Analogical Reasoning for Strategic Decisions? A Comparative Study

By Prothit Sen, Maciej Workiewicz, Phanish Puranam 
Strategy Science | February 2026

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1287/stsc.2025.0426

Citation

Can LLMs Aid Analogical Reasoning for Strategic Decisions? A Comparative Study
Prothit Sen, Maciej Workiewicz, and Phanish Puranam
Strategy Science 2026 11:1, 118-136 10.1287/stsc.2025.0426

Copyright

Strategy Science, February 2026

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Abstract

Analogical reasoning is central to strategy because it offers a basis for decision making in uncertain and data sparse contexts. Its effectiveness as a process depends not only on retrieving candidate analogies but on correctly matching them to the focal problem because a poorly chosen analogy can mislead decision makers and produce costly errors of commission. We investigate how humans and large language models (LLMs) perform at analogical reasoning through an exploratory study that extends classic analogical transfer designs by introducing multiple source analogs and target problems. Our results reveal a tradeoff: Humans in our sample frequently overlooked valid analogies (low recall) but rarely misapplied them (high precision); LLMs, in contrast, did not miss valid analogies (high recall) but often surfaced spurious, even if internally coherent matches (low precision). These findings suggest a complementary division of labor: LLMs might serve as expansive retrieval engines, generating a broad set of candidate analogies, whereas humans adjudicate their contextual fit through superior causal matching. This highlights a possible pathway for artificial intelligence (AI)–human collaboration in strategy making while underscoring the risks of over-reliance on AI-generated analogies until these models can improve their performance at matching analogies to problems.

Professor Sen’s research includes exploring questions on corporate strategy such as those which pertain to the design of alliance portfolios and investment model innovations in the private equity industry. Professor Sen teaches Corporate Strategy and Organization Design.

Prior to obtaining his PhD, Professor Sen worked as a consultant for Bain & Company in Gurgaon, India. His advisory experience in India spanned across the manufacturing, automotive, IT services and private equity industries. Professor Sen has an MBA from the London Business School and a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Physics from St. Stephen's College, Delhi.
Prothit Sen
Prothit Sen