My research encompasses two major streams in the field of organisation theory and organisational behaviour. The first area focuses on institutional change and how actors within the field navigate and reposition themselves in response to these changes. I examine concepts such as resistance to change, threat to professional identity, and the reasons behind the failure of reform efforts in public institutions.
The second area of focus pertains to the “dark side” of organisational behaviour and encompasses topics such as organisational corruption and unethical behaviour. I aim to shed light on the unethical behaviour that occurs within noble professions, such as healthcare, and investigate why highly-skilled employees engage in unethical practices and how they utilise their specialised knowledge, professional identity, and networking for their own benefit.
Human agency is a central aspect of my research and I believe it plays a crucial role in the success or failure of organisational change, as well as the reestablishment of stability post-change. I employ a realist philosophical approach and utilise qualitative research methodologies to examine these issues.
I am grateful for the support I have received from various institutions, including the Universities of Southampton and Cardiff in the UK and the Higher Education Commission in Pakistan. I have also been the recipient of competitive-based scholarships during my PhD studies at the University of Southampton. My professional experience encompasses work at several higher education institutions in the UK and Pakistan, including the University of Southampton, Imperial College London, the University of Winchester, and Khyber Medical University. I hold a PhD in Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management from the University of Southampton, an MS in Human Resource Management from the University of Bradford, and an MBA from Liverpool John Moore’s University in the UK.