Professor Anna Morgan-Thomas
- Professor of Digital Management and Innovation (Management)
telephone:
01413302548
email:
Anna.Morgan-Thomas@glasgow.ac.uk
R408E Level 4, Management, Gilbert Scott Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ
Biography
Professor Anna Morgan-Thomas is a strategic academic leader and leading scholar in digital transformation. Her research explores how emerging technologies — particularly AI, digital platforms, and digital marketing tools — reshape organizational strategy and performance across firms, governments, and academia. Her interdisciplinary research bridges marketing, strategy, international business, and public administration. Current projects examine AI-driven entrepreneurship and government digitalization, alongside policy collaborations in Southeast Asia and Poland.
As Dean of Research at the triple-accredited Adam Smith Business School, she oversaw research strategy during the REF2021 submission, a period when the School achieved a 31-place climb, reflecting the REF team’s outstanding efforts. She has mentored over 20 PhD graduates to academic and policy roles, shaped national doctoral policy as Associate Director of the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science and enhanced global standards as an AMBA peer reviewer. A long-serving member of University Senate’s Academic Standards Committee, she drives governance and diversity, with work on academic equity and inclusion.
Anna has published widely on digital transformation and online engagement, with high-impact articles in Research Policy, Journal of Business Research, Long Range Planning, and Academy of Management Learning & Education. Her earlier research on digital brand engagement and consumer ecosystems continues to attract citations and has informed her broader exploration of how technologies mediate relationships, strategy, and institutional purpose.
She has held senior academic leadership roles at the Adam Smith Business School, including Dean of Postgraduate Research and Dean of Research, where she led REF strategy, research infrastructure development, and doctoral programme reform. Her leadership has contributed to record improvements in research performance and funding, alongside a sustained commitment to early-career development and inclusion.
Anna is currently Associate Editor for European Management Journal and serves on AMBA’s international peer review team. She welcomes opportunities for collaboration, advisory work, and external engagement aligned with strategic innovation, digital transformation, and academic leadership.
Research interests
Overview
I am a globally recognized scholar of digital transformation, ranked among the top 2% most cited scholars worldwide, with high-impact publications in Research Policy, Journal of Business Research, and Long Range Planning. My interdisciplinary research explores how digital technologies—particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and digital platforms—reshape organizational strategies, institutional practices, and global systems. Spanning international business, research policy, and marketing, my work bridges academic and policy impact, advancing debates on digital innovation, academic equity, and global collaboration. As Associate Editor of European Management Journal, I shape contemporary discussions on digital-era organizing.
Current Projects and Impact
My research advances digital transformation across diverse contexts, building on high-impact publications like Research Policy (2024) on REF2021 and Journal of Business Research (2020, 2024) on digital platforms. I explore artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in organizational settings, with ongoing work examining their role in reshaping strategies and routines. In international business, I investigate digital strategy in post-transition economies, drawing on collaborations with Polish enterprises. My Southeast Asian projects with policymakers (Thailand, Indonesia) inform digital innovation in government. Additionally, my work on research policy and academic inclusion addresses structural challenges in academia, shaped by my research leadership at the Adam Smith Business School.
Research Interests and Approaches
I focus on digital transformation as a sociotechnical process, examining how digital technologies mediate organizational and institutional change. Key areas include:
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Investigating their role in reshaping strategies, routines, and decision-making in firms and public sector organizations.
- Digital Platforms and Digital Innovation: Exploring platform-based transformation in global markets, building on my work in Long Range Planning.
- International Business: Analysing digital transformation, digital strategy and digital global startups
- Research Policy and Academic Inclusion: Studying how evaluation systems (e.g., REF) and digital metrics shape equity and diversity, with a focus on equity for migrant scholars.
- Sociotechnical Dynamics: Applying socio-technical systems and socio-technical interactions frameworks (e.g., Schatzki, Orlikowski) to understand technology’s role in organizing.
My approach integrates critical realism and practice-based theorizing, rejecting technological determinism to uncover the interplay between technology and human agency.
Supervisory Interests
I welcome PhD projects on digital transformation, AI, and digital platforms, particularly those exploring sociotechnical dynamics in organizations or global contexts. I’m also interested in research policy and academic inclusion, focusing on equity and diversity in academia. My supervisory experience spans 20+ doctoral completions, with graduates securing roles in academia, government, and international organizations. I encourage interdisciplinary proposals grounded in critical realism or socio-technical approaches, aligned with my expertise in digital innovation, international business, and institutional change.
Grants
- Libereat: Monetising Big Data Analytics, Scottish Funding Council, Dr Anna Morgan-Thomas (£5000, January-April 2018).
- Transitions to Blended and Online Learning: PGT Research Methods, Learning, Teaching and Development Fund, University of Glasgow. Co-investigators: Dr Anna Morgan-Thomas, Dr Adina Dudau & Dr George Kominis (£53,212, 2014-2016).
- Business model innovation in regional tourism: digital tourism platform, Scottish Funding Council, Dr Anna Morgan-Thomas (£5000, 2015).
- Ubiquitous digitization and risk management models, Scottish Enterprise, First Step Award. Dr Anna Morgan-Thomas (£5000, 2014).
- Utellme: Ubiquitous digitization and value creation, Scottish Enterprise, First Step Award. Dr Anna Morgan-Thomas (£5000, 2014).
- The effectiveness of Agripa flexible advertising systems, Scottish Enterprise, First Step Award. Dr Anna Morgan-Thomas (£5000, 2014).
- Base: New business models in digital economy. Scottish Enterprise, First Step Award. Dr Anna Morgan-Thomas (£5000, 2013).
- Online internationalization, Adam Smith Research Foundation, University of Glasgow. Prof Becky Reuber and Dr Anna Morgan-Thomas (£7000, 2012)
- Bio-tech start-ups and demand-side strategy. Scottish Enterprise, First Step Award. Dr Anna Morgan-Thomas (50%) and Dr Alfredo D’Angelo (£5000, 2011).
- Tissue Solutions: Business models in global bio-tech industry, Scottish Enterprise, First Step Award. Dr Anna Morgan-Thomas (50%) and Dr Alfredo D’Angelo (£5000, 2011).
- Innovation in renewable energy: Researching global market opportunities, Scottish Enterprise, First Step Award. Dr Anna Morgan-Thomas (£5000, 2014). £5000 (2014)
- Routes to market in mobile applications contexts. Scottish Enterprise, First Step Award. Dr Anna Morgan-Thomas (£5000, 2014).
- SME internationalization, GAESA, Andalucía Business Enterprise, Spain Dr Anna Morgan-Thomas (100%)(€5500, 2009).
- Market assessment and strategy development for Virtual Abattoir, Scottish Enterprise, First Step Award. Dr Anna Morgan-Thomas (£5000, 2014).
- Export Development, Scottish Enterprise, Knowledge Transfer Partnership. Prof Robbie Patton, Dr Anna Morgan-Thomas and Stacy Stewart (£103,228, 2006).
- Managing Multinational Enterprise, GAESA, Andalucía Business Enterprise, Spain. Dr Anna Morgan-Thomas (€5500, 2007).
- Virtual Export Channels. ESRC, PhD scholarship. Dr Anna Morgan-Thomas (£88,000, 1999-2003).
Supervision
I invite PhD proposals in the following areas, drawing on my expertise in digital transformation and 20+ doctoral completions (graduates in academia, government, and international consultancy roles):
- Digital Technologies and Organizing: Projects on artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, digital platforms, or digital innovation in organizations and global contexts.
- Sociotechnical Dynamics: Studies exploring socio-technical systems or socio-technical interactions in digital transformation processes.
- International Business: Research on digital strategy in post-transition economies, building on my work with Polish enterprises.
- Research Policy and Inclusion: Proposals on research policy, academic inclusion, or equity in academia, particularly for underrepresented groups.
I encourage interdisciplinary approaches grounded in critical realism or socio-technical frameworks. Contact me to discuss your ideas and alignment with my research.
Funding Information
PhD funding is highly competitive, and I currently do not have direct funding available for new students. However, I warmly welcome applications from self-funded candidates or those with external funding (e.g., scholarships, grants). Please contact me to explore your funding options and discuss potential projects.
- Chidambaram, Aravind Bhaskar
Unlocking the Synergies of Sustainability Integration: A Study of Reputational and Stakeholder Dynamics in Business Strategy - Kontoliou, Ioanna
Research topic: Brand communities: new forms of brand co-ownership - the case of crowdfunding communities - Wang, Wenting
How does social media as a tool affect B2B buyer and seller relationships
Past PhDs Supervised and Awarded
Tiyasangthong, Naruemon , F/T, “IT Implementation Challenges in Thailand Public Sector Organization - An Alignment Perspective”, completed October 2024.
Fabiano, Aristiro, F/T, “Digital transformation in Indonesian government”, completed January 2025.
Kapralova, Natalia, F/T, “Managing Big-Data Driven Business Transformation” (2nd supervisor with Prof Denis Fischbacher-Smith as first), completed in 2024. College of Social Science PhD scholarship.
Xinyu Dong, F/T, “Negative consumer engagement”, (2nd supervisor with Dr Cleopatra Veloutsou as first), commenced October 2017. Self-funded.
Agostinho Abrunhosa, P/T, “Moocs and Digital Transformation of Business Education” (1st supervisor with Dr Ignacio Canales as second) commenced October 2013. Funded by AESE, Portugal.
Nattermann, Torsten, P/T, “Exploring impacts of digital technology trends on B2B relationships in global supply chain networks” (2nd supervisor with Prof John Finch as first), commenced January 2016. Funded by Continental, Germany.
Mohd Irwan Bin Dahnil Sikumbang, F/T, “Social Media Adoption in Small Medium Sized Businesses” (1st supervisor with Dr Yee Kwan Tang as second), commenced in January 2015, funded by Malaysian Government PhD scholarship.
Sergio Osuna, P/T, “Brand Polarisation” (2nd supervisor with Dr Cleopatra Veloutsou as first), commenced January 2014.
Alekasndra Bavdaz, F/T, “Technology and Marketing Practice: Performing Global Branding” (1st supervisor with Dr Katherine Duffy as second), commenced October 2016. Funded by College of Social Science PhD scholarship.
Chaun Li, F/T, “The Effectiveness of Online Marketing and Branding Strategies employed by European FMCG Brands in Food Sector” (1st supervisor with Dr Yee Kwan Tang as second), completed in November 2018. Funded by College of Social Science PhD scholarship.
Olekasndra Pasternak, F/T, “E-word of mouth and online brand communities” (2nd
supervisor with Dr Cleopatra Veloutsou as first), completed in October 2016. Self-funded.
Zhao, Yang, F/T, “Business Model Evolution and Firm Performance of Entrepreneurial Companies” (principal supervisor with Prof Trevor Buck as second), completed in September 2016. Self-funded.
Dessart, Laurence, F/T, “Online communities and brand engagement” (2nd supervisor with Dr Cleopatra Veloutsou as first), completed in July 2015. Funded by College of Social Science PhD scholarship.
Karl Warner, P/T. “Dynamic Capability Development Towards Sustainable Competitive Advantage Amongst Life Science New Ventures” (2nd supervisor with Prof Marian Jones as first), completed in April 2014.
Nathaniel Massa, P/T, “Internationalisation and Competitiveness of Small Firms in Malta” (2nd supervisor with Prof Marian Jones as first), completed in February 2012. Funded by the University of Malta.
Lucrezia Casulli, F/T, “The Role of Absorptive Capacity in the International Growth and Development of Small Firms” ( 2nd supervisor with Prof Marian Jones as first), completed in 2009, funded by ESRC CASE 1+3 studentship, with Scottish Enterprise.
Jon Carrick, P/T, “The Role of Venture Capital in New International Ventures” (2nd supervisor with Prof Marian Jones as first), awarded November 2011. Self-funded.
Ji, Junzhe (2010) “Strategic decision-Making Process Characteristics, Confucian Values and their Effects on International Entry Mode Decisions: a Study of Chinese Private Firms” ( 2nd supervisor with Prof Pavlos Dimitratos as first), Glasgow University. Funded by Operations Research Society PhD scholarship.
Teaching
Current courses
- Management research methods (PGR)
- Multivariate analysis (PGR)
- Structural equation modelling (PGR)
Past teaching
- Digital marketing (UG and PGT)
- Digital entrepreneurship (PGT)
- International marketing (PGT)
- Strategic marketing (UG and PGT)
- Strategic marketing and management (MBA and UG)
- Marketing analysis (UG)
- Research methods (UG, PGT)
- Marketing research (UG, PGT)
Additional information
Strategic Leadership and Research Governance
- Dean of Research (2020-2024), Adam Smith Business School: led a 31-place REF climb, doubled research funding to £2.55M driving institutional growth at a triple-accredited school.
- Director of Postgraduate Research (2018-2021), Adam Smith Business School: Supported over 300 postgraduate researchers, fostering an inclusive research culture and shaping doctoral training strategies.
- Associate Director, Scottish Graduate School for Social Science (2014-2017): influenced national doctoral policy, enhancing research policy and training frameworks across Scotland in the UK's largest ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership.
University Governance and Policy
- Member, University Senate and Academic Standards Committee (since 2012-2023): Shape quality assurance, regulations, and equity policies, ensuring academic excellence and inclusivity.
- Member, Virtual Learning Board (2016-2018): Steered technology-enhanced learning strategies, advancing digital innovation in education across the University.
External Engagement and Recognition
- AMBA Peer Reviewer: Contribute to global business school accreditation, ensuring standards at triple-accredited institutions.
- ESRC Reviewer for PhD Scholarships, Scotland (2014-2016): Evaluated funding applications, supporting the next generation of social science researchers.
- Doctoral Convenor, Academy of International Business, UK & Ireland Chapter (2008-2014): Championed doctoral training in international business, fostering early-career researchers.
Mentoring and Support
With 20+ PhD completions, I am committed to mentoring diverse talent, guiding students to roles in academia, government, and international organizations. I prioritize equity and inclusion, creating supportive environments for all researchers.