Saba Shahzadi

Prospective PhD Researcher in Generative AI, SMEs, Strategic Decision-Making and Digital Transformation

I am an aspiring researcher with a developing academic focus on how emerging technologies, particularly generative AI, are reshaping managerial work, strategic judgement, and organisational decision-making in small and medium-sized enterprises. My work sits at the intersection of innovation, digital transformation, business strategy, and human-AI collaboration.

I am currently building my doctoral research profile around the question of how SME managers use generative AI in strategic decision-making under uncertainty, with particular interest in sensemaking, trust calibration, and the role of human judgement in AI-supported managerial decisions.

Research Focus

My research interests centre on the organisational and managerial implications of emerging digital technologies. I am particularly interested in how generative AI is adopted, interpreted, and used by decision-makers in small and medium-sized firms, and how this affects strategy, judgement, and organisational change.

Current research interests

• Generative AI adoption in SMEs
• Strategic decision-making under uncertainty
• Human-AI collaboration in managerial work
• Trust calibration and sensemaking in AI-supported decisions
• Digital transformation and innovation in organisations
• The impact of emerging technologies on business performance and managerial practice

Current Work

I am currently developing PhD applications and research proposals focused on the role of generative AI in strategic decision-making within SMEs. My present work explores how managers engage with AI-generated outputs, how they balance algorithmic suggestions with human judgement, and how trust in AI systems is formed, calibrated, and challenged in uncertain business environments.

Alongside this, I am building a research writing platform to share academic articles, research reflections, and developing ideas on AI adoption, digital transformation, and the changing nature of managerial decision-making.

Writing and Research Notes

This website serves as a space for my academic writing, research reflections, and emerging work in the fields of generative AI, SME strategy, and digital transformation. Here I share articles and short pieces that engage with questions such as:

• How are SME managers using generative AI in practice?
• What happens to managerial judgement when AI becomes part of strategic decision-making?
• How should organisations think about trust, risk, and uncertainty in human-AI collaboration?
• What does digital transformation look like for smaller firms operating under resource constraints?

Over time, this platform will also document my PhD journey, evolving research agenda, and future publications.

Connect

I welcome opportunities to connect with academics, supervisors, researchers, and professionals interested in generative AI, SMEs, digital transformation, and strategic management. If you would like to discuss research interests, collaboration, or doctoral opportunities, please feel free to get in touch