Harvard Business School Extends Global Presence with India Research Center in Mumbai
New Office Extends the School’s Worldwide Research Network
MUMBAI - Harvard Business School (HBS) has opened a new India Research Center (IRC) in Mumbai as part of its ongoing commitment to creating intellectual capital for use worldwide as well as to building and strengthening relationships with leading companies, universities, and other organizations around the globe.
“The new Mumbai center will help us expand our ties with prominent business leaders, universities, and researchers throughout India – a key emerging force in the global economy,” said Professor Krishna Palepu, the School’s Senior Associate Dean for International Development. “Our presence in the region will not only increase the breadth and depth of HBS research and case studies – and thereby enhance the learning experience for all our MBA students and Executive Education participants – but also cultivate a constructive dialogue between India and other business leaders within the global network.”
Research will focus in particular on Indian companies seeking to pursue new opportunities and excel in a globalized economy; on companies and investors from outside the region seeking opportunities in India; and on policy makers working to create an environment that facilitates national competitiveness and economic growth in India.
“The new Center enables HBS faculty to study one of the world's most important economic regions during a time of significant transformation,” said Richard Vietor, Senior Associate Dean and Faculty Chair for Asia.
The IRC is the latest addition to the School’s network of international research centers, which includes offices in Latin America (Buenos Aires), Asia-Pacific (Hong Kong, Tokyo), and Europe (Paris). In addition to coordinating research within these regions, the centers form a unique global network for comparing businesses and business practices from around the world.
Ajay Mookerjee, who earned a doctorate in business administration from Harvard Business School in 1988, is the India Research Center’s executive director. After completing his studies at HBS, Mookerjee worked in consulting with Booz Allen Hamilton and in investments with GE Capital. He then went on to develop corporate ventures in Asia for global insurer AIG and build the Asian credit card business for Capital One.
“An increasingly important player in the global economy, India will continue to drive the social and capital markets that shape our world,” said Mookerjee. “The region’s burgeoning population, for example, has a high proportion of educated workers who will have significant impact on important developments in many enterprises. Beyond that, the mere size of this skilled workforce will have substantial buying power in tomorrow’s economy. Therefore, it is essential for Harvard Business School to have a presence in India and contribute to increased understanding of key issues in the area.”
Launched in 1996, the Global Initiative is a major effort to enrich Harvard Business School’s long tradition of international research activity and course development by building closer ties with companies, academic institutions, alumni, and other resources worldwide.
Founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University, Harvard Business School (www.hbs.edu) is located in Boston and offers full-time programs leading to the MBA and doctoral degrees, as well as more than 40 Executive Education programs. With a faculty of more than 200 distinguished scholars, the School is dedicated to educating leaders who make a difference in the world. Its core focus is to shape the practice of business, build enduring knowledge, and effectively communicate important ideas.