Commencing his doctoral studies in 2021, Dr. Watson embarked on this path following the completion of his Master of Commerce (MCom), recognising it as the logical progression in his academic career. Having previously attained his Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) and BCom Honours degrees in Business Management, he sought to delve deeper into the area of strategic management and digital innovation. The core of Dr. Watson's research lies in developing and evaluating scenarios aimed at reshaping the digital landscape within South African organisations, with a particular focus on HEIs. His study not only provides valuable insights for navigating contemporary challenges but also offers a generic framework that can be used by various organisations and industries across South Africa to incorporate scenario planning into their strategic management processes.
Key findings from his research illuminate the intricate dynamics of digital transformation within the South African context, especially within HEIs. Through empirical insights and a robust theoretical framework, Dr. Watson's work informs decision-making processes, guides strategic planning endeavors, and fosters discourse on the digital transformation in higher education, both nationally and internationally.
Reflecting on his PhD journey, Dr. Watson highlighted the challenges he faced in undertaking and completing a PhD in Business Management and emphasised the significant life lessons he learned throughout the process. “The most challenging part of pursuing and finishing a PhD involves the sacrifices needed to succeed. Throughout this journey, I've gained profound life lessons, enough to write another PhD! Yet, one crucial lesson stands out: having a support system is vital. When things get overwhelming, having people who can encourage you and remind you of your initial motivations is invaluable, whether it's during a PhD pursuit or any personal endeavour”.
Despite pursuing a PhD while maintaining full-time employment, Dr. Watson persevered, attributing his success to the unwavering support of his supervisor and mentor, Prof. Miemie Struwig. According to Dr. Watson, the mentorship and guidance provided by Prof. Struwig played a pivotal role in his academic journey, instilling in him the resilience and determination necessary to overcome challenges along the way.
Dr. Watson's advice to aspiring PhD candidates, is to:” Enjoy the journey and remind yourself why you started in the first place. If you don’t have a reason for doing it, find one”.
As Dr. Storm Watson embarks on the next chapter of his academic career, his research stands as a testament to the transformative potential of scholarly inquiry in shaping the digital landscape of organisations in South Africa and beyond.
