The activities of our India Centre focus are five-fold:

1. Knowledge Generation

Little is known about Indian business in general, the specificities of Indian business practices, and their contribution to the globalisation process. The James E. Lynch India & South Asia Business Centre can address the problems, issues and opportunities that are faced by Indian-based and UK/EU-based firms, in relation to the emergence and opening of India such as the globalisation of competition, and its implication in terms of foreign market servicing strategies for Indian and UK/European firms.

Issues of particular importance include:

• Foreign market servicing strategies of Indian firms within India itself and abroad, and non-Indian firms in India and South Asia

• Inward and outward foreign direct investment into/from India, its trends and characteristics, its impact on firm performance

• The rise of “Third World Multinationals” and challenges posed by the internationalisation of Indian firms; contrasts with the experience of Malaysian and Chinese firms

• The specificities of Indian management practices, and their contribution to the process of globalisation; the implications of internationalisation by Indian firms on structures, culture and management; the link between ownership structure, internationalisation and performance in an Indian context

• The Indian outsourcing industry and the challenges posed by its expansion to Indian, non-Indian firms and governments

• The impact of liberalisation on selected industries, such as retail

• Comparative research on India v. China

 2. Knowledge Dissemination and Training

The Centre disseminates the findings of its research in various ways, including

• In-house seminars of ‘work in progress’ for researchers and academics

• More formal public seminars targeted at academics, business and financial analysts and commentators

• Research publications related to projects identified above, and published in top international business and management journals, with a strong focus on policy- and business-implications

• Training and seminars for SMEs on topics such as “Doing business with India”, in partnership with UKTI, targeted at first-time UK investor / exporter in India based in the West and South Yorkshire regions, and more specialist seminars on comparative Indian v. Chinese business issues

• A web site acting as a gateway to existing research in the area of Indian business, with specific sections targeted at academics, firms, and policy-makers

• Database dissemination to an audience of business and financial analysts, researchers, business users

• Management Development Programmes and short courses, both in the UK and India

• A contribution to enhancing India’s educational standards in the area of international business and management, which can be achieved by leveraging our partnership with IIM-Ahmedabad and the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade while developing further alliances with other Indian top B-schools. This leads to the delivery of seminars for research students and courses in international business at partner educational and research institutions. In November 2006, the James E Lynch India & South Asia Business Centre delivered an “International Immersion Programme” for six senior students from IIM Ahmedabad as part of their PGPx –the equivalent of a one-year, executive MBA programme.

Key research output include:

• Publication of research reports and articles targeted at specific audiences in academics’ and practitioners’ journals, the business and financial press

• Compilation and harmonisation of existing databases on inward and outward foreign direct investment flows and stocks between India and key other countries

• Creation of unique datasets on aspects of Indian v. Chinese business at firm- and industry-level

In January 2006, the James E Lynch India & South Asia Business Centre contributed to the House of Commons Trade and Industry Committee’s Inquiry on Trade and Investment Opportunities with India and submitted a written evidence.

3. Market Research: Watching India

The Centre produces Watching India, a series of monthly market research briefings on the overall Indian economy and key sectors such as manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, IT, BPO/KPO, retail, entertainment among others.

These briefings are made available to UK and European firms wishing to keep up-to-date with the fast changing nature of the economy and the opportunities that await them in India. Watching India is available on a subscription basis. Later in 2007 the Centre’s market research briefings will cover the UK and Europe as an increasing number of Indian firms are keen to go “global”. Additional and more specific market research tailored to the needs of clients can be produced by the Centre.

4. Forum and Networking Opportunities

The Centre acts as a forum where companies and managers with an interest in India can meet, and exchange information both with one another and with the researchers based in the Centre. In an area where there is so little existing research, and where the business opportunities are so big, it is hoped that the mutual exchange of information, ideas and experience, will be perceived to be profitable to all the parties concerned. This will further the research opportunities of the Centre, as well as advancing its potential income-generating capacity.

The Centre is also associated with the Knowledge Transfer activities of Leeds University Business School, which include a number of events that provide selected individuals and organisations with opportunities to network with firms based in the region.

Events include:

• The Financial Times Speaker Series, a series of 5 events in 2006/7 hosted by Prof. Peter J Buckley: Speakers include:

o Mr Quentin Peel, international Affairs editor, Financial Times (21st Sept 2006)

o Mr John Willman, UK Business editor, Financial Times (15th Nov 2006)

o Dr Paul Davies, former MD Unisys India and MD Onshore Offshore Ltd (24th Jan 2007)

o Mr Andy Green, CEO BT Global Services (15th March 2007)

• Corporate Wisdom® - Inspiring Yorkshire’s Leaders: Corporate Wisdom has been developed with the deliberate intention of creating the most outstanding lecture series in the North of the country. It is a joint initiative with Whitehead Mann plc, experts in leadership development and recruitment. The lectures are intended to inspire, educate and challenge and the guests comprise Chairmen and Chief Executives of leading public and private sector businesses in the west and South Yorkshire region. Our speakers are all high profile international figures and include:

o David Jones CBE, Chairman of Next plc (October 2005)

o Sir Gus O’Donnell, Cabinet Secretary (May 2006)

o Sir John Parker, Chairman National Grid Plc (October 2006)

o Greg Dyke, Chairman HIT Entertainment and former Director General of the BBC (May 2007)

The event is a great opportunity for the Business School to develop links with the region’s senior business community, and for guests to network (it is a strictly per-invitation event). Each event begins with a drinks reception at 6.00 pm followed by the lecture at 7.00 pm and a Q&A session. The lecture is expected to finish at around 8.15 pm. More information is available at www.Corporatewisdom.co.uk

5. Seminars and Training for West- and South-Yorkshire firms

The India Centre is part of the Centre for International Business Education and Research (CIBER). In partnership with UKTI, CIBER-branded training and seminars will be offered to SMEs based in West and South Yorkshire with current or potential business interests in India and China.

Two one-day seminars on “Business in China” were delivered in 2005/6. Four seminars on “Business in India” are scheduled to take place in 2006/7 in West and South Yorkshire, and further seminars of a more comparative nature Indian v. Chinese business are expected to take place in 2007.

Other opportunities to network with firms and organisations based in West and South Yorkshire include the Financial Times Speaker Series (5 events a year) and the Corporate Wisdom® - Inspiring Yorkshire’s Leaders Series (2 events a year).

For more information on how our India centre can benefit your organisation,. please do contact us, by email isabc@lubs.leeds.ac.uk