Challenge
Forefront needed to understand why generative-AI knowledge remained fragmented, why informal encouragement was not producing coordinated adoption and why some consultants treated AI use as professionally illegitimate.
My contribution
I conducted a Gioia-method case study, identified the most urgent cultural and structural barriers, and translated the findings into practical remedies for the firm's consulting operations.
Approach
Conducted 12 semi-structured interviews, each 30 to 75 minutes, and coded the material through first-order concepts, second-order themes and aggregate dimensions.
Diagnosed barriers including weak knowledge-sharing structures, unclear guidance, leadership-communication gaps and professional-identity concerns.
Developed prioritized remedies including reflection-based guidance, a possible code of conduct, role-specific training, prompt-library expansion and an AI ambassador network.
Outcome
The recommendations were presented to the CEO and all department heads, remain in use, and led directly to a larger follow-on engagement.
Deliverables
- Qualitative case study
- Three-level Gioia analysis
- Prioritized recommendations
- CEO and department-head presentation
