 "Boston univ's Prof Vachani to be IIM-Bangalore director")
The Union human resource development ministry has approved the appointment of Sushil Vachani, professor of strategy and policy at Boston University School of Management, as the new director of Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore, sources said.
Vachani has been the front-runner for the post. The selection of candidates from abroad was made possible last year after the ministry initiated a move to allow each IIM to shortlist its own candidates for the posts of director and chairman.
His name was shortlisted by IIM Bangalore's board of governors and approved by the ministry. "He has many very good publications to his credit. He is well-travelled and well respected, not just in India, but globally," a senior academician at IIM-B told Business Standard.
Vachani’s areas of research interest include the impact of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on international business; the role of governments, NGOs and multinational enterprises (MNEs) in reducing poverty; impact of globalisation and global governance on MNEs; MNE-government relations; management of diversified MNEs; management in developing countries and the internationalisation of small firms.
Vachani has been the front-runner for the post. The selection of candidates from abroad was made possible last year after the ministry initiated a move to allow each IIM to shortlist its own candidates for the posts of director and chairman.
His name was shortlisted by IIM Bangalore's board of governors and approved by the ministry. "He has many very good publications to his credit. He is well-travelled and well respected, not just in India, but globally," a senior academician at IIM-B told Business Standard.
Vachani’s areas of research interest include the impact of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on international business; the role of governments, NGOs and multinational enterprises (MNEs) in reducing poverty; impact of globalisation and global governance on MNEs; MNE-government relations; management of diversified MNEs; management in developing countries and the internationalisation of small firms.
Mukesh Ambani, the chairperson of IIM-B's board of governors and chairman of Reliance Industries had suggested Vachani's name after the incumbent director Pankaj Chandra declined to accept the extension offer. Chandra’s name was recommended along with the names of Vachani and another professor for the top job by the board of IIM Bangalore a few months ago. Under the norms, the board had to send three names for the director’s post and the ministry would choose one and send it to the appointment committee of cabinet (ACC) headed by the Prime Minister for the final approval. After clearance by the ACC, the board is informed about it and the new director appointed.
After Chandra had recently stepped down after being the director for nearly 6-years, IIM-B had nominated Devanath Tirupati, Dean-Academic, IIM-B, to be in-charge until a director was appointed.