Adaobi Naomi Umeze reflects on a defining conference experience that strengthened her confidence, sharpened her research and marked an important step in her doctoral journey.
Presenting my research at the Faculty of Business and Law Postgraduate Research Conference 2026 was a defining milestone in my doctoral journey. As this was my first presentation of my PhD research at an academic conference, I was both excited and humbled by the opportunity to share my work with fellow researchers and academics across the faculty.
My presentation, "Beyond Adoption: Trust and the Digital Payment Continuum among SMEs," explored how trust shapes the ways small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engage with digital payment technologies. Rather than viewing adoption as a simple decision of whether to use digital payments or not, my research argues that engagement exists along a continuum, influenced by technological, organisational, environmental and behavioural factors. Through this work, I hope to contribute to a deeper understanding of how SMEs navigate digital transformation in increasingly uncertain and evolving business environments.
This research is deeply personal to me. Having spent over ten years working with SMEs across different countries, I have witnessed first-hand the opportunities that digital technologies can create, as well as the challenges many businesses face in adopting them. Those experiences inspired me to pursue a PhD and continue to shape the questions I seek to answer. My goal is to produce research that not only advances academic knowledge but also informs policies and practical solutions that support more inclusive, resilient and sustainable SME development.
Receiving the Best Presentation Award in the Inclusive International Development parallel session was an unexpected honour and a memorable highlight of the conference. It was encouraging to see my research resonate with the audience and the judging panel, particularly at this early stage of my doctoral journey.
Beyond the award, the conference provided a valuable opportunity to engage with inspiring research, exchange ideas across disciplines, and receive constructive feedback that will strengthen my work going forward. I am sincerely grateful to my supervisors, colleagues, friends, and everyone who supported and encouraged me throughout the conference. This experience has strengthened my confidence as an emerging researcher and reaffirmed my commitment to conducting research that creates meaningful academic and societal impact.
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Adaobi Naomi Umeze
PhD candidate at the Faculty of Business and Law