• Current research

    My research agenda addresses some of the most critical challenges associated with digital technologies and their increasing centrality in contemporary capitalism. Currently, I focus on three key topics:

    • How fintech firms strategize to achieve ethical missions.

    • How big data and AI redefine competitive strategies and introduce new mechanisms of market power.

    • How organizations can develop sustainable AI strategies.

    My expertise lies at the intersection of Information Systems and Political Economy. This interdisciplinary lens enables me to examine the technical features of digital technologies as well as their business, societal, political, and environmental implications.

    I use a variety of methodological strategies, including historical analysis, semiotic analysis, qualitative research based on semi-structured interviews and non-participant observations. I am increasingly interested in the application of computational techniques such as natural language processing (NLP).

    I am also keen on developing review papers that offer new conceptual frameworks, and theoretical work that draws upon phenomenon-based theorizing.

    Overall, my research ethos is to produce rigorous empirical and theoretical work that leverages my Political Economy expertise to advance the sociotechnical perspective in Information Systems—particularly by emphasizing power relations, political struggles, and institutional work.

    While contributing to sociotechnical research in Information Systems, I remain committed to an undogmatic and pluralistic view of social-scientific knowledge.

    Publications and research in progress

    I have a track record of excellent publications and a promising pipeline of research papers that reflect the three key areas listed above—i.e., ethical fintech; AI-driven market power; sustainable AI.

    I am the lead author of a 2022 co-authored article titled “Making the World a Better Place with Fintech Research” published in Information Systems Journal (CABS AJG 4, AIS’ “basket of 11”).

    This article studies how international development organizations (e.g., IMF, World Bank) are advancing a vision of fintech-led financial inclusion that takes to heart the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals such as SDG1 (no poverty); SDG2 (zero hunger); SDG8 (decent work and economic growth); and SDG10 (reduced inequalities).

    In the spirit of tackling societal grand challenges through management research, the article offers a conceptual framework for guiding Information Systems research on how fintech can enhance financial inclusion and reduce poverty in emerging markets. Particularly, the framework explores the phenomenon of fintech-led financial inclusion from different vantage points—business strategy, digital artifact, entrepreneurship, ecosystem, and developmental impact.

    I am currently expanding this research stream on ethical fintech by conducting fieldwork in UK and Italy. Using a qualitative research strategy, I am investigating how fintech firms strategize to pursue ethical goals.

    In December 2024, I published a sole-authored article titled “Asset Manager Capitalism and the Political Economy of Artificial Intelligence” in Review of International Political Economy (CABS AJG 3).

    Drawing on insights from Information Systems, Social Studies of Finance, and Critical Data Studies, this agenda-setting paper explores the new AI-driven rules of the game in asset management—a pivotal sector of contemporary capitalism. These AI-driven rules require asset management firms to compete by integrating AI into their business models, leveraging data and digital infrastructures for machine learning operations, and strategizing within a data economy dominated by Big Tech and their digital platforms.

    As competition increasingly hinges on data and AI, prominent asset management firms like BlackRock and Blackstone are bound to entrench their dominance in the sector through data-driven and AI-driven mechanisms of market power—particularly by having an advantage in securing exclusive access to AI talent, valuable data, and cutting-edge computing resources.

    Building on this stream of research, I am currently examining the case of a prominent quantitative hedge fund by using a historical analysis and semi-structured interviews. This research aims to gain deeper insights into the role of data-driven AI in reshaping competitive dynamics and enabling firms to consolidate power within the financial services industry and beyond.

    My third research area concerns how tech organizations, especially Big Tech firms, can implement sustainable AI strategies. I am working on a co-authored theoretical paper titled “Theorizing the Sustainability Paradox of Artificial Intelligence.”

    This work draws on Institutional Theory and Paradox Theory to theorize how firms can align their pursuit of AI-driven competitive advantages with environmental sustainability goals, amid the high environmental costs associated with AI technologies. Achieving this alignment is one of the most critical strategic objectives for organizations in our time of climate crisis. The paper contributes to the AI in Management debate by redirecting scholarly attention from studying how organizations achieve AI-driven competitive advantages to the higher goal of harnessing intelligent technologies for sustainability.

    Building on this theoretical study, I am conducting field research to collect the data needed to empirically test several propositions from our paper. Specifically, I deploy a mixed-method approach that combines interviews with key stakeholders and NLP techniques to analyze corporate reports.

    Moreover, I am working on a book titled Sustainable AI: Rethinking Artificial Intelligence for People and the Planet. This book advances the concept of Sustainable AI as a foundation for an interdisciplinary and visionary research agenda on how businesses can reimagine their approach to AI.

    Rather than focusing solely on efficiency and profit maximization, the book redefines AI as an ecosystem that should be grounded in environmental sustainability, fair labor practices, and democratic governance. Drawing from research in Political Economy, Information Systems, Strategic Management, and Sustainable Business, this book offers a roadmap for AI that prioritizes both people and the planet.

    Knowledge mobilization

    Through my research I aim to create a positive impact on business and society, especially by promoting sustainable AI technologies and ethical fintech practices. I am always eager to engage in knowledge mobilization by translating insights from my research into practical benefits for businesses and society. As a member of AMBS’ Centre for Financial Technology Studies, I actively engage with the business community by serving on the Fintech Committee at Pro-Manchester, a leading business organization in Greater Manchester, and participating in the UK FinTech Academic Network at Innovate Finance, the national industry body for UK fintech.

    Overall, I am committed to disseminating my research findings in an accessible language by engaging with diverse communities, fostering a broader understanding of my studies’ impact and implications.

    Previous research

    In my previous work, I am known for having researched the financialization of the state, particularly how governments misuse market-based financial innovations in public-debt management.

    My work on state financialization and the political economy of financial innovation laid the groundwork for my current research on fintech and AI. My research trajectory—from the state financialization project to my present work—reflects a shift in the practices and technologies of financial innovation, moving from a pre-2008 emphasis on financial engineering to today’s focus on data, AI, and computing power. My co-authored paper on Dark Pools of Liquidity embodies this transition.

    Research community

    In all my research activities, I care deeply about being an active, collegial, and enthusiastic member of the Information Systems—and, more broadly, Business and Management—academic community. I regularly organize and chair scholarly events at major international conferences, such as the Academy of Management (AOM) and the International Conference on Information Systems (ICIS). I serve as an Associate Editor for the Societal Impact of Information Systems tracks at ICIS and at the European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS).

    I am dedicated to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion within the Information Systems research community. I actively promote a welcoming and supportive environment for all researchers, regardless of their background, and strive to create opportunities for underrepresented voices to be heard and valued.

    • Business, societal, political, and environmental implications of AI

    • Fintech and the future of finance

    • Financialization and financial innovations

    • Digitalization and digital innovations

    • Socio-technical perspective in Information Systems

    • Institutional theory

    • Paradox theory

    • Qualitative and conceptual research

    • Lagna, A., & Lee, S. “Theorizing the Sustainability Paradox of AI.”

    • Lagna, A, & Lee, S. Sustainable AI: Rethinking Artificial Intelligence for People and the Planet [book].

    • Alraddadi, A., Champion, D., & Lagna, A. “Theorizing the Absence of Affordances.”

    • Lagna, A. “Changing the Game: Digital Strategies for Inclusive Finance.”

    • Lagna, A. “Strategic AI and Market Power: A Historical Case Analysis of a Quantitative Hedge Fund.”