------ ABOUT
I am currently a graduate student at the University of Waterloo. My academic journey and professional experiences are deeply intertwined with organizational behaviour and strategy in social ventures. I have had the privilege of serving on the boards of four not-for-profit organizations, which has fuelled my passion for understanding and exploring the governance models of such entities.
My professional career spans various sectors, including financial services, technology, and healthcare. This diverse experience has equipped me with a unique insight into the operational and strategic challenges faced by organizations aiming to implement sustainable business models.
------ RESEARCH AREAS
Currently, I am focused on exploring the evolving governance structures in hybrid and not-for-profit organizations. I am particularly interested in how these organizations adopt "business-like" frameworks to enhance their efficacy and sustainability.
Within this context, I am also investigating the impact of management strategies on organizational adaptability and success. My research examines various models of leadership and decision-making, exploring their influence on internal dynamics and operational outcomes across different organizations.
Furthermore, this inquiry extends to analyzing the role of technology and data analytics in shaping these governance and management strategies. By examining how digital tools and data-driven decisions are being integrated into traditional systems, I aim to understand their contribution to organizational transparency, efficiency, and resource allocation.
------ WORKS IN PROGRESS
Research Papers
Baig, Z. (2024). Evolving Governance: Exploring the Adoption of Business-Like Governance Structures in Not-for-Profit Organizations. (Work In Progress).
This paper aims to critically evaluate the growing trend among not-for-profit organizations to adopt governance structures and operational frameworks traditionally associated with for-profit businesses. It focuses on assessing governance models that merge characteristics unique to not-for-profit and for-profit organizations. Furthermore, it explores the rationale behind the shift, identifies the key benefits, and examines the significant challenges not-for-profits encounter when adopting such structures.
Cases and Teaching Materials
Baig, Z., Ragavan, V., Chen, E, & Arnason, M. (2024). 2024 SAF Strategy Case Competition. School of Accounting and Finance Case. University of Waterloo. (Work In Progress).
This case is written for the upcoming 2024 SAF Strategy Case Competition at the University of Waterloo. It mirrors real-world business scenarios, requiring participants to engage in strategic thinking, financial analysis, and team collaboration. The competition is designed to bridge theoretical knowledge and practical application, challenging participants to solve complex problems through innovative solutions.
------ PUBLICATIONS
Journal Articles
Tekumalla, R., Baig, Z., Pan, M., Hernandez, L. A. R., Wang, M. & Banda, J. (2022). Characterizing Anti-Asian Rhetoric During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Sentiment Analysis Case Study on Twitter. Workshop Proceedings of the 16th International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media. doi:10.36190/2022.81.
Working Papers
Orwig, W., Bellaiche, L., Spooner, S., Vo, A., Baig, Z., Ragnhildstveit, A., Schacter, D. L., Barr, N., & Seli, P. (2024). Does Human Creativity Matter in the Age of Generative AI?. PsyArXiv. doi:10.31234/osf.io/ygzw6.