Dr Ozlem Ayaz
Senior Lecturer in Strategic Management

Research area(s)

Corporate Sustainability - Evironmental, social and financial performance

Integrated Management Systems - quality, environmental, environment health and safety, corporate social responsibility systems integration

Industry 4.0 and the workforce - diversity, transparancy  

Research Interests

Dr Ayaz's research focuses on strategic management, workplace inclusion, ethical leadership, and the role of digital transformation in shaping organisational practices. Her work bridges academic theory with real-world application, often in collaboration with policy and industry partners such as CIPD, Endometriosis UK and Business Psychology Associsation.

Previously, she served as Principal Investigator on the UKRI/ESRC project SME Accelerated Digital Footprint Creation during COVID-19 and its Ethical Implications (£160,800, 2021–2022). This research shaped national conversations around ethical data practices and SME digital strategies, contributing to frameworks for responsible digital footprint management.

Dr Ayaz has published in leading international journals, with several recent outputs that reflect her interdisciplinary interests:

• Ayaz, O., Tabaghdehi, A., Rosli, A., Tambay, P. (2025). Ethical Implications of Employee and Customer Digital Footprint in SMEs. Journal of Business Research [Q1, IF: 10.5, CABS 3*]

• Ayaz, O., Ozbilgin, M., Samdanis, M., Torunoğlu Tinay, D. (2023). Authenticity and Atypicality in Leadership. International Journal of Management Reviews [Q1, IF: 9.8, CABS 3*]

• Ayaz, O., Tatoglu, E., Zaim, S., Golgeci, I. (2021). Toward a Holistic Understanding of Sustainability in Corporations. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal [Q1, IF: 9.5, CABS 3*]

Her ongoing research continues to explore inclusive organisational strategies, ethical digitalisation, and the future of leadership in the context of technological and societal change.

Grants