Digital Repository of Theses - SSBM Geneva

Uncovering Digital and AI Competency Gaps: A Qualitative Study of Generation X Employees in the UK Private Higher Education Sector

Sarwar Khawaja — 2025-11-27

This qualitative doctoral study investigated the digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) competencies of Generation X professionals within the UK private higher education sector. Employing a thematic analysis of 15 in-depth, semi-structured interviews, the research explored their lived experiences, self-perceptions, motivations, and attitudes towards digital transformation. Four principal themes emerged: "The Gen X Adaptive Journey: From Necessity to Fluency," highlighting their pragmatic digital proficiency; "Navigating Institutional and Systemic Barriers," detailing challenges like time constraints, institutional inertia, and inadequate support; "The Double-Edged Sword of AI," revealing a dual perception of AI's opportunities for efficiency and profound ethical threats; and "The Evolving Professional Identity and Institutional Voice," reflecting shifts in confidence and concerns about their influence in digital strategies. The findings underscore Generation X's crucial role as adaptable "digital immigrants" and emphasise the imperative for private higher education institutions to develop human-centred, ethically informed digital strategies. This study contributes to generational theory in technology adoption and offers practical recommendations for tailored professional development and inclusive digital governance, ensuring this experienced cohort's vital contribution to the evolving educational landscape.
Keywords: Generation X, Digital Competencies, AI Competency, Digital Transformation, Workplace Learning, Private Higher Education UK

Innovating Organisational Learning and Development for Sustainable Impact: A South African Context

Florence Musengi — 2025-11-27

Organisations operating in South Africa and other African countries’ quickly transforming economic sphere need to train their workers with advanced abilities, sustain crucial staff, and speed up leader progression. The research explores the transformative effects that come from integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and coaching approaches and knowledge management (KM) strategies on learning and development (L&D) practices across banking, defence, healthcare, and manufacturing industries. A research study based on six African countries, including South Africa and Nigeria, along with Kenya, Ghana, Egypt, and Rwanda, demonstrates how AI learning platforms enable customised training systems, demonstrate practical leadership development methods through coaching investments, and establish sustainable KM systems for knowledge retention. The research involved conducting semi-structured interviews and reviewing documents from HR leaders and L&D professionals, which provided insights into effective and ineffective methods along with supporting explanations. The study demonstrates that combined L&D programs create better workforce involvement, higher productivity, and organisational strength. Implementing integrated L&D solutions faces several remaining obstacles: insufficient funding, lack of senior leader support, and inconsistent technological resources. Specifically, the findings give business leaders tools to address ongoing challenges such as workers not feeling engaged, managers who do not lead well, and groups that work in isolation by using modern tools for training. Using AI, companies can replace out-of-date approaches to training. Coaching and knowledge management help companies address the issues of unagile leadership and forgetting the organisation’s past values. The research provides African industries with direction through its recommendation to transition from compliance-based training toward people-focused strategic development, which activates learning as an innovative and competitive driver for long-term business expansion.
Keywords: Learning and Development, Artificial Intelligence, Coaching, Knowledge Management, Africa, Human Resources, Talent Development.

An Alternative DAO-Based Financing Strategy for Microenterprises: International Insights from Japan

Yoshiyuki Oba — 2025-11-27

This dissertation examines the potential of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) as an alternative financing model for microenterprises, with a specific focus on pioneering cases of Japanese microenterprises. Microenterprises worldwide face persistent financing constraints, often relying solely on bank loans under asymmetric information and limited collateral. Against this backdrop, blockchain-enabled DAOs offer novel possibilities for transparency, collective governance, and innovative capital formation mechanisms that may complement conventional MSME finance.
The study employs a qualitative design, integrating a systematic literature review with nine case studies of Japanese DAO LLCs. Semi-structured interviews with these DAO founders, combined with secondary sources such as governance documents and community publications, provided the empirical foundation.
Findings reveal recurring success factors—including community engagement, transparent governance, and access to decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms—while also highlighting major challenges in treasury management, regulatory ambiguity, and sustainable business modeling. Cross-case analysis demonstrates that DAOs can mitigate trust and resource mobilization issues but remain constrained by legal uncertainty and operational immaturity.
Beyond national relevance, the Japanese DAO experience holds international significance. Japan represents one of the jurisdictions to integrate blockchain-based DAOs into existing company law, providing a unique laboratory for global policy and practice. Lessons from Japanese MSMEs are particularly relevant for emerging economies, where MSMEs often face severe financing gaps. DAOs, if properly regulated, may serve as complementary mechanisms to enhance financial inclusion and resilience in local MSME ecosystems.
The dissertation contributes theoretically to the field of MSME finance by extending concepts of relationship banking and credit assessment into decentralized governance environments. It shows how DAO mechanisms can complement existing theories of MSME finance, alleviating information asymmetry as the key issue and offering a hybrid financing model that integrates community-based trust with blockchain-enabled transparency.
In conclusion, DAOs present a promising yet still nascent pathway for supporting microenterprises. Practical implications include the need for regulatory clarity, institutional experimentation, and closer integration with community banking models.
Future research should pursue longitudinal studies tracking the Japanese DAO LLCs with quantitative analysis, as well as comparative case studies across different jurisdictions.
Keywords: Alternative Financing Strategy; Blockchain; Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO); Emerging Economies; Information Asymmetry; Japan; Microenterprises, MSME Finance

International Tax: Hybrid Mismatch Arrangements and Shortcomings of the OECD BEPS Action 2 Final Report 2015

Golden Phiri — 2025-11-27

International tax, as the name indicates, deals with taxation across the globe and those that understand and practice it enjoy it, while at the same time those that do not practice it and buy those services hate it.
In this study the researcher embarks on a project to investigate Hybrid Mismatch Arrangements and Shortcomings of the OECD BEPS Action 2 Final Report 2015 – Neutralizing the Effects of Hybrid Mismatch Arrangements by incorporating the OECD Table 1.1 – General Overview of the Recommendations. The study is conducted within Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) in South Africa including the mining, manufacturing, and service industry sectors.
OECD Table 1.1 is included in the study as a guide to international tax consultants, multinational enterprises’ international tax users, and international tax authorities to mention a few. The study incorporates the positivism paradigm research philosophy thus incorporating the causal research technique. Causal research seeks to understand the cause-and-effect relationship between variables and indicates that a change in one variable directly causes a change in another variable. In this study the researcher philosophizes domestic law represented by Specific recommendations on improvements to domestic law, (Top column 3 of the OECD Table 1.1), as the independent variable and the OECD Recommended Hybrid Mismatch Rules or linking rules, (Top column 4 of the OECD Table 1.1), as the dependent variable, thus depending on domestic law to neutralize the effects of hybrid mismatch arrangements. The researcher refers to Morgan (2013) causal research theories including sufficient causes and necessary causes as the requirement to effect changes between the independent and dependent variables.
The study comprises four research questions and objectives with four test items each set to answer each research question and objective. Positivism research requires science thus involving hypothesis testing to confirm reliability and validity of data. Frequency mean and standard deviation are calculated and used to test hypothesis on one hand, and the Breusch Pagan and F-test are incorporated to detect outliers within the variables and data. The study then constructs the simple linear regression and bar graphs to present graphical analyses of the findings. Both primary and secondary findings are presented in the study.
The study finds that the South African jurisprudence is not yet ready to respond to the OECD Recommended hybrid mismatch rules or linking rules thus indicating that the OECD BEPS Action 2 Final Report 2015 - Neutralizing the Effects of Hybrid Mismatch Arrangements, has some shortcomings in the South African international tax arena. There is more that must be done by the OECD than the current Recommended Hybrid Mismatch Rules or linking rules to neutralize the effects of hybrid mismatch arrangements within multinational enterprises (MNEs) in South Africa.
The study ends with conclusions on the four research questions and objectives; and four recommendations that if acted upon, the OECD Recommended Hybrid Mismatch Rules or linking rules will undoubtedly bear fruitful results.

Delivering Bad News: Analysis of Leadership Communication Strategies and Channel Selection

Levor Henry — 2025-11-27

This study was conducted to understand how leaders deliver bad news in organizational contexts, focusing on the ways in which the nature and severity of the information shape communication choices and influence employee perceptions. Delivering bad news is a frequent yet highly sensitive aspect of leadership, and ineffective handling of such conversations can undermine trust, morale, and organizational credibility. Conversely, skillful delivery can preserve relationships and reinforce employee engagement during times of difficulty. Recognizing this dual potential, the study examined leadership communication practices to identify patterns, strategies, and best practices that can guide more effective organizational responses.
A sequential mixed-methods design was employed to capture both generalizable trends and nuanced insights. Quantitative data were collected through surveys completed by 101 leaders across a variety of business sectors, while qualitative perspectives were obtained through open-ended responses and follow-up interviews with a purposively selected subset of participants. The study was guided by five core objectives: to describe the types of information leaders most often classify as bad news; to examine their preferred communication channels and the rationales behind those choices; to analyze how message severity influences channel selection; to evaluate which communication strategies are associated with positive employee perceptions; and to identify evidence-based best practices that support effective leadership communication.
Findings revealed that performance-related issues, such as failed evaluations or assignment rework, were the most frequently reported forms of bad news, while more severe matters, layoffs, suspensions, and demotions, though less common, carried far greater emotional weight for both leaders and employees. Face-to-face communication emerged as the most trusted channel in high-severity situations, with video conferencing serving as a viable substitute in remote or hybrid contexts. Email and telephone were more commonly used for low-severity or routine matters. While many leaders justified their channel selection on the grounds of appropriateness and organizational fit, a notable number admitted that convenience or habit influenced their choices, underscoring a gap between ideal communication practices and real-world behavior.
The study also confirmed the importance of empathetic and transparent leadership strategies in shaping positive employee perceptions. Leaders who demonstrated emotional intelligence, sensitivity to employee concerns, and clarity in their delivery reported more constructive responses from their teams. Practices such as combining verbal communication with follow-up written documentation, maintaining openness to employee questions, and engaging in reflective learning after difficult conversations were identified as effective approaches for sustaining trust and improving communication competence.
The results suggest that aligning communication channels with message severity, integrating empathy and respect into leadership practices, and embedding reflective learning into organizational routines can significantly improve outcomes when bad news must be delivered. This research contributes to leadership and communication scholarship by integrating Media Richness Theory, Situational Crisis Communication.
Theory, Emotional Intelligence, and Transformational Leadership into a multi-theoretical framework. It also offers practical guidance for organizations seeking to strengthen leadership development, enhance trust, and foster resilience during periods of organizational difficulty.

Collaborative Supply Chain and Sales Networks for Improved Customer Satisfaction and Market Responsiveness with AI Integration

Rene Grywnow — 2025-11-27

Background
In today’s volatile and competitive global market, industrial companies in Europe are under pressure to increase agility, customer responsiveness, and operational resilience. Traditional silos between supply chain and sales functions often result in misalignment, inefficiencies, and missed opportunities. This study investigates how artificial intelligence (AI) can support and enhance cross-functional collaboration between these two departments to improve customer satisfaction and business
performance.
Methods
The research adopts a mixed-methods design to ensure both depth and breadth of insight. Qualitative data were collected through 15 semi-structured interviews with supply chain and sales executives across various industrial sectors in Europe. A
complementary quantitative survey, distributed to 187 professionals, provided additional validation and scalability. Data were analyzed through thematic coding, descriptive statistics, regression, and chi-square testing using the software Jamovi.
Results
The study reveals that AI-supported collaboration significantly enhances forecasting accuracy, planning integration, and customer responsiveness. Firms with shared KPIs, cross-functional teams, and AI tools embedded in decision-making processes reported higher customer satisfaction and internal alignment. However, challenges persist: organizational silos, limited digital maturity, and resistance to change remain major barriers.
Discussion and Conclusion
The findings suggest that technological tools alone are insufficient without cultural readiness, strong leadership, and strategic alignment. A conceptual framework and practical roadmap are proposed to guide industrial firms in their AI-enabled
transformation. The research contributes to both academic understanding and practical implementation by addressing a critical gap in cross-functional digital integration within industrial supply chains.

Can Blood-Based Prostate Cancer Screening Be a Win-Win Situation for Insurance Companies, the Healthcare Industry, and Patients?

Jigar Pandya — 2025-11-27

This research investigates the potential of blood-based prostate cancer screening, particularly multi-cancer early detection (MCED) technologies, as a value-creating intervention for insurers, patients, and the broader healthcare industry in India. The study
was driven by the growing economic and clinical burden of late-stage prostate cancer and the emerging promise of liquid biopsy-based approaches to transform preventive care. A mixed-methods design was employed, combining a cost-benefit model with qualitative and quantitative data from a survey of insurance industry professionals. The cost-benefit analysis quantified financial savings for insurers under different sensitivity scenarios, while the survey captured stakeholder perspectives on adoption barriers, regulatory challenges, and broader industry implications. The results demonstrated that insurers could achieve substantial financial savings by integrating blood-based prostate cancer screening into policy-linked health checkups, with projected savings ranging from ₹67 lakhs at 70% sensitivity to over ₹2 crores at 100% sensitivity. From a patient perspective, the findings
underscored advantages such as reduced invasiveness, improved compliance, and earlier detection compared to conventional screening modalities. However, multiple obstacles emerged, including high upfront implementation costs, regulatory ambiguity, lack of actuarial models for preventive diagnostics, and infrastructure gaps within provider and laboratory networks. The study further highlighted that regulatory uncertainty and unclear reimbursement pathways remain central deterrents to adoption. Broader implications for providers, laboratories, and med-tech firms include the need for training, standardization,
and alignment of innovation with payer requirements. Stakeholders emphasized the importance of policy reforms that balance innovation with oversight, including clearer approval pathways, standardized reimbursement models, and collaborative pilot programs.
In conclusion, blood-based prostate cancer screening presents a promising win-win opportunity for insurers, patients, and the healthcare industry. Yet, realizing this potential will require coordinated policy interventions, regulatory clarity, and multi-stakeholder collaboration to overcome barriers and enable sustainable integration into India’s healthcare ecosystem.

The Foundation of Innovation: A Purpose-Driven Approach

Stefano Malpangotti — 2025-11-27

This study introduces Purpose-Driven Innovation (PDI), as a comprehensive managerial framework designed to unify theory and practice. PDI offers a practical tool for aligning organizational innovation with an organization’s mission and core values, fostering a unified and purpose-driven approach. PDI demonstrates that purpose and innovation are deeply interconnected, driving new entrepreneurial perspectives. By embedding purpose into every aspect of strategy, PDI transforms innovation into a purposeful endeavor, encapsulated in the Purpose Articulation Statement, a dynamic tool that redefines traditional Mission Statements.
The framework consists of eight interlinked nodes, balancing creative exploration with disciplined execution and employing holistic strategies to drive meaningful and sustainable outcomes. A pilot case study of Netflix tested the framework, leading to the addition of a ninth node to emphasize the critical importance of continuous renewal and adaptation. PDI equips organizations with a practical and comprehensive blueprint to foster creativity, enhance operational efficiency, and build resilience. By staying true to their core values, organizations can effectively navigate complexity, adapt to change and create lasting value in a rapidly evolving world.
This research offers a clear roadmap for organizations to turn purpose and innovation into a powerful competitive advantage within a fair and equitable society.

An Empirical Investigation of the Relationship Between Corporate Success and the Implementation of Agile Principles in the Manufacturing Industry in the GSA Region

Christian Gronau — 2025-11-27

The dissertation “An empirical investigation of the relationship between corporate success and the implementation of agile principles in the manufacturing industry in the GSA region” investigates the relationship between business success and the introduction of agile principles in the manufacturing industry in Germany, Switzerland and Austria (GSA region). The aim of this work is to capture the impact of agile principles on business success in the manufacturing industry, to provide practical insights for decisionmakers, and to deliver scientific input.
The need for this research stems from the fact that, despite its widespread use, agility has not yet been investigated in depth in relation to the manufacturing industry in the GSA region. Based on this, the following research questions were defined: which
agile principles are most effective? How does the introduction of agile principles influence company metrics such as time-to-market, product quality or cost efficiency?
Furthermore, what best practices already exist?
The methodology of the work is based on a mixed-method approach. Quantitative data were collected through an expert survey in which employees and managers were asked about agile principles, their introduction and their effects. In order to gain further
insights into the experience of practitioners, the analysis was supplemented by two expert-interviews.
The results of the research show that agile principles such as continuous improvement, self-organising teams and collaborative working have a positive influence on efficiency, product quality, time-to-market and employee satisfaction. It should also
be emphasised that clear management support, targeted training and a cultural change within the company are decisive factors for success. Barriers were also identified, such as technological limitations and silo-like structures.
In summary, the study concludes that the introduction of agile principles in the manufacturing industry in the GSA region is not only possible but also sensible, if it is individually adapted, strategically supported and culturally anchored. The work thus
provides scientifically grounded insights into the effectiveness of agile approaches in a traditionally structured industry and contributes to improving the manageability of agile transformations in practice.

AI and Data-Driven Brand Decisions: Influence on the Competitive Advantage in the Luxury Goods Industry

Karina Vazhitova — 2025-11-27

This study examines how artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven brand strategies can create a competitive advantage in the luxury goods industry. As more luxury brands integrate AI technologies into their operations, understanding how this impacts strategic brand decisions is limited, particularly in product development, marketing, consumer engagement, and pricing.
This study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining a quantitative survey of 361 consumers and qualitative interviews with 12 industry experts from key departments at luxury brands, including marketing, customer relationship management, product development, data science, and e-commerce, to better understand these dynamics. Quantitative data shows that 78% of consumers have used AI features when purchasing luxury goods, with the majority stating that their satisfaction and brand loyalty have increased. Additionally, 71% of respondents said that AI-powered personalization had impacted their loyalty, and 68% said they were more likely to purchase from brands that used AI technology. Qualitative interviews also supported these findings, highlighting that AI is a strategic enabler rather than a replacement for creativity or human-computer interaction. Respondents highlighted the role of AI in predictive analytics, consumer targeting, trend forecasting, and personalization as ways to drive market differentiation and improve operational efficiency.
Strong support is provided for both hypotheses by the findings of the study. Personalized services increase customer satisfaction and loyalty, as well as data-driven strategies help brands preserve their heritage while still maintaining a competitive advantage. Based on these insights, the study proposes a conceptual framework to help responsibly and effectively integrate AI into luxury brand strategies. This research offers a theoretical and practical contribution that illustrates how luxury brands can leverage AI technologies to enhance brand loyalty, enhance customer experience, and maintain long-term competitiveness in the evolving digital marketplace.