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#Interview
DYNAMISM(E)
SACHIN SIVAKUMAR
PGDM 2015-17
S
waroop Sir, as I fondly call him, spoke to DYNAMISM(E) in a generic talk about the changing managerial
approaches around the world. I couldn’t resist instigating him to speak more about the management education, considering his learned experience from a career spanning more than 30 years in academics, research and consulting in USA and in India. Excerpts below:
Sachin: Sir, a basic question. According to you, what is management?
Swaroop: (Tries to give a formal answer) Management has changed dramatically in the recent years. Traditionally, management was defined as an administration and all the activities dealing with controlling
things or people, and harnessing the employees’ efforts in attaining the goals of an organization.
Thanks to globalization and the digital revolution, our world and the way we do things have changed
forever. The established business models are challenged and things are getting recast. According to me
if there is one phrase that captures the essence of management, that would be – process of achieving goals
that add the maximum value
Sachin: You’re constantly interacting with industry leaders. What do they actually expect from
management students, considering that the world around is changing?
Swaroop: (recalls for a while) Given the dynamic conditions, the industry expects students to be job ready
– ready to hit the ground running. They should have the technical, analytical and critical thinking skills
and the ability to solve problems. Versatility is the key to survival in an ever changing business landscape. As professionals we are involved in “problem solving”
Sachin: Do you think management education in India is going in the right direction, as in are
we successfully matching industry expectations?
Swaroop: It depends on the institution offering the program. Universities offering an MBA are slow in
catching up with the latest industry trends. However, some of the AICTE approved autonomous institutions are in tune with the industry expectations and in some instances they are ahead of the curve.
Sachin: Can you tell us some pedagogical tools adopted by
B-Schools, that seem to be working in building a budding
management workforce?
Swaroop: Well. Increased impetus on case studies, activity-based
teaching, simulated classrooms and of course, use of technology.
Sachin: What directions do you think management education may take in the coming future?
Swaroop: Greater emphasis will be on analytics led decision
making and expect sector wise specialization.
Sachin: Last question, but for us a very important question
- do you think MBA/PGDM students will continue to be in
high demand in corporate corridors?
Swaroop: (gets formal again) MBA students are subjected to the
vicissitudes of economic boom and bust cycles. However, no
matter what the economic circumstances, students who are
Dr. Swaroop Reddy
hard working, versatile, adaptable and carry a right attitude
Principal
&
Dean
(Academics), ISME
will continue to be in demand.
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