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At SIMS, there is an ongoing quest for knowledge and improvement. This quest is now reflected in our in-house refereed research journal, ‘JIDNYASA: Thirst for Knowledge’. JIDNYASA in Sanskrit carries a meaning that is in deep resonance with the core ideology that goes behind any institute of learning in the world. Jidnyasa has been launched with a dual objective. The first objective is to nurture a culture of disciplined and focused research amongst our students as well as faculty. The second objective is to provide a medium for the entire SIMS community to enrich itself from research carried out by its peers.
In addition to JIDNYASA, SIMS has encouraged its faculty as well as student managers to try and understand business trends through varied research projects both sponsored as well as non-sponsored. It has encouraged its full time faculty to enroll for PhD programs. Faculty is engaged in PhD research in diverse areas like Finance, Automobile Industry, Rural Marketing, and Marketing Practices with reference to professional ethics, Organizational Behaviour and Strategic Economic Convergence. In addition, some student managers conduct research in companies by way of summer projects and live projects. The curriculum also demands that every student manager submit a research paper in every subject. Student managers are encouraged to undertake consultancy projects involving detailed research like the Pune Cantonment Board, Traffic Regulation Project, the Parking Solution Project, the PCB Hospital Project, World Military Games, and the TATA Ace project for Piaggio. On 7th March 2009, SIMS signed an MoU with PMC for conducting a research based consultancy for Slum Improvement. Pranay volunteers now are guiding Pragati members (an NGO for upliftment of women living in slums) and enabling them to improve their lives.
A Research Committee has been set up in June 2007. This Committee decides the thrust areas for research and actively seeks research opportunities for both faculty members as well as student managers. Research has been initiated in a major way in the areas of Corporate Governance (‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ and ‘Improving Internal Controls’) and Banking & Finance (‘Analysis of Customer Satisfaction in Banking Services’ and ‘Risk Management Analysis’).
The institute has collaborated with Leeds Metropolitan University for students and faculty exchange programs and research projects. Many students have taken advantage of the exchange program and are currently obtaining credits and an MA Degree at the Leeds Business School. Director has been on a faculty exchange program to Leeds in December 2005 and another faculty also toured Leeds in March 2008 as part of faculty exchange program. Four faculty of Leeds Business School have conducted classes at SIMS over last two years. The Research projects are to commence in the forthcoming academic year.
The institute is an accredited Centre for Corporate Governance of the National Foundation of Corporate Governance established by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and CII. It has two ongoing research projects supported by the NFCG, and has received approval for two more projects.
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Research Paper presentation at IIM Bangalore
Title of the paper:
Global Recession, Survival and Growth- Role of Management Education
Authors:
Prof. Ashwini S Purandare and Prof. Komal Chopra
Venue and date:
Research paper presentation at 7th AIMS International Conference, IIM Bangalore, 20th - 23rd Dec 2009
Abstract:
Global recession has raised several concerns about economic growth and survival of industry across nations. The paper focuses on the role of management education to help industry cope with recession. An empirical study on the issue highlighted the opportunities that management education could provide to industry. However, a study of existing relationships between industry and academia exposed the shortcomings of both sides in partnering with each other. A community model has been discussed that will enhance relationships between industry and academia thereby enabling them to overcome their shortcomings and achieve synergy in dealing with recession.
Case on retailing in India
Title of Case
RETAILING IN INDIA: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR GLOBAL RETAILERS
Author
Prof. Komal Chopra
Abstract
The Indian retail industry has been dominated by unorganised retail with only 5% of the industry in the organised sector. In 2009, AT Kearney's Global Retail Index ranked India as the most emerging destination for retail ahead of Russia and China. The factors contributing to the growth of organised retail in India included growth in working population, double income households, one stop destination for all needs, changing consumer life styles and easy availability of credit facilities. The Indian government permits foreign direct investment of 51% for single brand retail only. This has served as a deterrent for global retailers to enter India. The case discusses the opportunities and challenges that global retailers will face in India based on which they can decide their strategy for the Indian market.
Complete case available on www.ecch.com
Global Meltdown: Opportunities & Challenges Increasing Communication Challenges
Topic
Increasing Communication Challenges in the Face of Growing Cultural Diversity in Today’s Global Melt Down
Date and Venue: International Conference by Dept. of Management Sciences, University of Pune held on 20th to 21st March ’09.
Author
Dr Pradnya Chitrao
Abstract
The paper contends that the present global meltdown will result in a restructured global order having a lot of cultural diversity at workplaces. Managers will be forced to review their earlier paradigms of communication in order to ensure that lack of effective communication is not hindering their delivery of targets. The paper shows how communication mistakes are not just confined to mastery over the language of another country.
Organised Retailing in India: Sustainability in Downturn Economy
Topic of paper
Organised Retailing in India : Sustainability in Downturn Economy
Date and Venue: Research paper presented at International Conference by Dept. of Management Sciences, University of Pune on 20th - 21st March 2009
Author
Prof. Komal Chopra
Abstract
The retail market in India is divided into organised and unorganised retailing. According to McKinsey’s study, the organised retail market in India stands at merely 5% of the total retail market. AT Kearney’s Global Retail Development index 2008 has ranked India as the second most emerging destination for retail in the world behind Vietnam and ahead of Russia and China. This has tempted many corporate players to venture into retailing. However, the retail market has posed several challenges for organised players. Retailers have been struggling with high rentals, diminishing catchment areas due to increasing competition, supply chain problems and lack of availability of space in addition to fear of entry of global competition. An economic slowdown has further added to their woes. The paper discusses various strategies to be adopted by retailers in the wake of downturn economy. The emphasis should be on value retailing, new market development, store restructuring, introducing innovative formats and strengthening of supply chain. The
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