Adopting a disciplinary and interdisciplinary approach to technological organization and sociology of work, this research group examines various societal, organizational and behavioral issues involved in managing work, organizing and technology and operations management. The research in this group is delineated across three themes.

1. Managing Work

This theme focuses primarily on professionals working in organizations. It is aimed at advancing an understanding of the intersection of people and management at the macro (policy), meso (organizational) and micro (professional practice in organizations) levels of organizing.

2. Technology, Society and Work

As technology is pervasive in all sectors and aspects of society and work, this stream of research focuses on understanding the transformative promise of technology in reconfiguring society, professions, and work. Research in this stream focuses on developing critical insights into technology-led societal transformation from a society that uses technology to one shaped by it, particularly when it is placed within the context of broader human ambitions, aspirations, and social values.

3. Technology and Operations

The field of Operations Management has changed considerably due to the emergence of substantial development in technology. The Technology and Operations theme focuses on creating and improving value through design, product manufacturing, services, and supply chain in a digitising world.

We are particularly interested in investigating the opportunities presented by new technologies such as industry 4.0, robotics and automation, artificial intelligence (AI), business analytics, and cloud computing in operations and supply chain management.

Current Research Projects

1. Digital Religion: The role of technology and digital media in the consumption of religious ideology and religious practice.

PI: Dr Atif Sarwar

CI: Dr Katherine Baxter

Summary: This study – adopting an interdisciplinary approach – aims to understand the intersection of digital technologies and religion within the cultural sphere focusing on its consumption from the perspective of the digital religion consumer and provider. This research aims to understand the phenomenon of religious engagement with digital media and modern technology’s role in shaping how religion is consumed in the everyday environment.

2. Church in Metaverse: There but not there – opportunities and challenges.

PI: Dr Atif Sarwar

CI: Rev Dr Tony Bradley, Dr Katherine Baxter

Summary: The research project’s central question is why people engage in a religious experience – often as avatars – within various metaverse worlds that are more akin to computer gaming environments. The church has often adopted a backwards-looking approach regarding new technologies and how to bring them into a dialogue with religious traditions. If we are to craft a meaningful understanding of our world and our relationship to the transcendent, we need to engage with this new virtual reality to develop a language that will allow us to express our experience of this reality; and answer the question of how our religious experiences and inclinations are constituted in new ways through advanced technologies. We want to understand the challenges of Christian identity in a virtual world, Christian community, Christian/virtual fellowship, the sanctity of rituals in a virtual environment, etc. Additionally, the research aims to illuminate new consumption sphere experiences influencing the future of society and business environments. 

3. E-Learning Technologies in higher education: a Post Covid-19 Perspective

PI: Dr Baomin Qi

Summary: E-learning has emerged as a critical source of competitive advantage in Higher Education (HE). It has become the norm to deliver effective teaching and learning and to enhance students’ learning experiences. HE Institutions (HEIs) have widely adopted E-learning technologies and radically changed the learning environment. Many benefits from adopting various e-learning technologies have been realised from both university and students’ perspectives; this is especially the case since the coronavirus outbreak at the end of 2019. However, there is a lack of relevant research exploring the shift of the technological use in HEIs and the extent of E-Learning technology utilisation during the period of covid-19 pandemic. This research aims to provide a clear picture of the evolution of e-learning technology adoption in HEIs and how they could rethink and potentially redesign their e-learning strategy to deliver a better teaching and learning environment.

4. Innovating Next Generation Services through Collaborative Design - Artificial Intelligence in Professional Service Firms (PSFs – Legal and Accounting)

Dr Atif Sarwar , in collaboration with colleagues at Lancaster University and Oxford Brookes University.

Summary: The project aimed at identifying the challenges that, if addressed, are likely to speed up the adoption and diffusion of artificial intelligence (AI) and similar new technologies in professional services firms (Law and Accounting). The project mainly focused on non-technical human factors such as leadership, organisational structures, professional and organisational culture, professional and organisational values, and business models.

Publications:

1. Faulconbride, J., Sarwar, A. & Spring, M. (Forthcoming). How professionals adapt to artificial intelligence: the role of intertwined boundary work. Journal of Management Studies.

1. Spring, M., Faulconbridge, J. & Sarwar, A. (2022). Artificial intelligence in professional service operations: toward a theory of the augmented professional service. Journal of Operations Management. 68(6-7), 592-618.  

1.  Faulconbridge, J., Spring, M. & Sarwar, A. (2021). Next Generation Professional Services: Towards AI Technology adoption in Mid-tier Accountancy and Law Firms. Available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14lic8ixsbVgQN2TPM1t-hY3LMO6dujde/view

1. Lupton, B. & Sarwar, A. (2021). Blame at Work: Implications for Theory and Practice from an Empirical Study. Business & Professional Ethics Journal. 40(2), 157-188.

1. Sarwar, A. & Harris, M. (2019). Children’s Services in the Age of Information Technology: What Matters Most to Frontline Professionals. Journal of Social Work. 19(6), 699-718.

1. Atkinson, C., Sarwar, A. & Crozier, S. (2019). Greater Manchester Independent Prosperity Review – Adult Social Care: a technical report for the research on Productivity. Available at: https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/media/1908/gmipr_tr_adultsocialcare2.pdf

1. Albarghouthi, M., Qi, B., Wang, C. & Abbad, M. (2020). ERP Adoption and Acceptance in Saudi Arabia Higher Education: A Conceptual Model Development. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 15(15), 110-120.
2. Qi, B., Liu, L. and Wang, C. (2009) 'E-learning tools to improve students’ learning experience: a case study.' International Journal of Modern Education and Computer Science, 1 (1). pp. 1-9.

1. Qi, B., Mitra, A. (2016). Conversations in Search of Audiences: Prospects and Challenges of Marketing UK’s Postgraduate Higher Education Using Social Media. In: , et al. Social Media: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. I3E 2016. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 9844. Springer, Cham.

1. Qi, B., van Yaroson, E. & Sarwar, A. (2022). Bibliometric Mapping of Big Data (BD) in Higher Education (HE): Towards a comprehensive framework. Paper presented at BAM Conference, 31st Aug – 2nd September. Manchester, UK.

1. Ullah, H., Shah, H., Siddique, M., Saleem, M., Khan, S., & Khan, A. (2020). Managerial Myopia, Capital Market Reaction and Compensation Policy (A CSR and Marketing Perspectives). International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change. 14(12).

1. Shoaib, S., Yunis, M., Siddique, M., Gul, S., & Abdullah, F. (2022). An Empirical Understanding of the Faculty’s Attitude towards Change in Higher Education. Indian Journal of Economics and Business. 21. 303-321.