Davidcza at 10:04, 25 March 2026

2026-03-25T10:04:47Z

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{{Short description|Indian corporate strategist}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2019}}
{{Infobox academic
| name = J. Ramachandran
| image =
| caption =
| birth_place = [[India]]
| occupation = Academic, corporate leader
| title = Chairman & Non Executive Director at Redington Limited ; Senior Professor of Corporate Strategy (retired)
| boards = {{ubl|[[Redington Group|Redington Limited]]|Aditya Auto Products and Engineering|[[Reliance Communications]]|[[Sasken Technologies]]|[[MVA Asia|MVA Group International]]|[[Allcargo Logistics]]|[[Antrix Corporation]]|[[Tejas Networks]]}}
| alma_mater = [[Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad]] (Fellow)<br>[[Institute of Chartered Accountants of India]] (ACA)<br>[[Institute of Cost Accountants of India]] (ACMA)
| school_tradition =
| doctoral_advisor =
| discipline = [[Strategic Management]]
| workplaces = [[Indian Institute of Management Bangalore]]
| doctoral_students =
| notable_works = "Why Conglomerates Thrive (Outside the US)"
}}

'''J. Ramachandran''' is an [[India|Indian]] academic and corporate leader.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=India's Best B-school Profs |url=https://archives.digitaltoday.in/businesstoday/20060716/cover5.html |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=India Today}}</ref> He is the chairman and non-executive director of [[Redington Group|Redington Limited]] and a former professor of corporate strategy at the [[Indian Institute of Management Bangalore]] (IIMB), where he taught for three decades.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-15 |title=IIT Madras & Redington announce alliance to enhance supply chain expertise |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/iit-madras-redington-announce-alliance-to-enhance-supply-chain-expertise/article67845517.ece |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=BusinessLine |language=en}}</ref> In 2006, ''[[Business Today (India)|Business Today]]'' included him in a list of leading business school professors in India.<ref name=":3" />

Ramachandran's research focuses on corporate strategy, [[corporate governance]], and the growth of firms in [[emerging economies]]. His work has been published in academic journals including the ''[[Harvard Business Review]]'', ''[[Strategic Management Society|Strategic Management Journal]], [[Organization Science (journal)|Organization Science]]'', ''[[Journal of International Business Studies]]'', ''[[Journal of Management Studies]]'', ''[[Strategic Management Society|Global Strategy Journal]]'', and ''Journal of Product Innovation and Management''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Prof. J Ramachandran retires as faculty of Strategy – The IIMB Digest |url=https://digest.iimb.ac.in/2022/05/prof-j-ramachandran-retires-as-faculty-of-strategy/ |access-date=2026-03-16 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date= |title=Professor J Ramachandran honoured as first Bain Fellow in India |url=http://www.iimb.ernet.in/node/2519 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027010211/http://www.iimb.ernet.in/node/2519 |archive-date=2011-10-27 |access-date=11 July 2012 |publisher=IIMB}}</ref> He was listed amongst the Best Management Thinkers in India by Thinkers50 India List.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Professor J Ramachandran is one among India’s Best Management Thinkers |url=https://www.iimb.ac.in/node/4947}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Ramachandran qualified as a chartered accountant, cost accountant, and company secretary. He is an associate member of the [[Institute of Chartered Accountants of India]] (ICAI), the [[Institute of Cost Accountants of India]] (ICMAI), and the [[Institute of Company Secretaries of India]] (ICSI). He earned his doctoral degree as a Fellow of the [[Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad]].<ref name=":0" />

== Academic career ==
Ramachandran joined [[Indian Institute of Management Bangalore|IIM Bangalore]] in 1992 and taught corporate strategy and policy for over three decades, retiring as Senior Professor of Corporate Strategy. He has held visiting positions at [[INSEAD]], the [[Wharton School|Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania]], and the [[Carlson School of Management]], [[University of Minnesota]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Prof. J Ramachandran retires as faculty of Strategy – The IIMB Digest |url=https://digest.iimb.ac.in/2022/05/prof-j-ramachandran-retires-as-faculty-of-strategy/ |access-date=2026-03-16 |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Research and publications ==
Ramachandran's research focuses on the growth and governance of firms in emerging economies. His paper on identity duality in multinational subsidiaries received the IMD FDC Award for Best Paper in Strategy/IB Theory from the [[Academy of Management]]. Another of his papers, which advocated for the use of case studies over variance studies in emerging markets research, was nominated for the Carolyn Dexter Best International Paper Award.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Paper by Professor J Ramachandran and Anirvan Pant in Social Science Research Network Top Ten download list |url=https://www.iimb.ac.in/node/1067}}</ref>

His 2013 ''[[Harvard Business Review]]'' article, "Why Conglomerates Thrive (Outside the US)," has been identified by the publisher as a top-selling title.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramachandran |first=J. |last2=Manikandan |first2=K. S. |last3=Pant |first3=Anirvan |date=2013-12-01 |title=Why Conglomerates Thrive (Outside the U.S.) |url=https://hbr.org/2013/12/why-conglomerates-thrive-outside-the-us |access-date=2026-03-16 |work=Harvard Business Review |language=en |issn=0017-8012}}</ref> In 2012, his research regarding the Indian software services industry was noted as being among the 100 most-cited papers in the ''Global Strategy Journal''.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Harvard Business Impact Education |url=https://hbsp.harvard.edu/product/IMB581-PDF-ENG |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=hbsp.harvard.edu}}</ref>

=== Teaching cases ===
Ramachandran has authored numerous teaching cases distributed through [[Harvard Business Publishing]], several of which are used in business school curricula globally.<ref name=":2" /> He has received awards for his cases from the [[European Foundation for Management Development]] (EFMD), the Central and East European Management Development Association (CEEMAN), the Association of Management Development Institutions in South Asia (AMDISA), and the Association of Indian Management Schools (AIMS). His study of [[Fabindia]] received the Tata Steel Best Case Award.<ref name=":0" />

In the field of executive education, Ramachandran has designed and directed leadership programs in collaboration with the [[MIT Sloan School of Management]] and the [[Tuck School of Business]] at Dartmouth. He has also served as a corporate trainer and consultant for several companies, including 3M India, [[Castrol India]], Siemens India, [[Infosys]], and [[Wipro]].

== Corporate presence ==

=== Redington Limited ===
Ramachandran was appointed chairman of Redington Limited in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IIT Madras & Redington Announce Strategic Alliance to Enhance Supply Chain Expertise through Visiting Chair Professorship |url=https://acr.iitm.ac.in/iitm_in_news/iit-madras-redington-announce-strategic-alliance-to-enhance-supply-chain-expertise-through-visiting-chair-professorship/ |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=acr.iitm.ac.in}}</ref> He is credited with overseeing the company's transition from a founder-led to a board-led governance structure. During his chairmanship, the company went public in 2007 and expanded as a global distributor of [[information technology]] products.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PE-backed Redington’s promoter Kewalram Chanrai Group sells 5% stake |url=https://www.vccircle.com/pe-backed-redingtons-promoter-kewalram-chanrai-group-sells-5-stake |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=VCCircle |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Other board roles ===
He has served as a director on the boards of [[Reliance Communications]], [[Sasken Technologies|Sasken Communication Technologies]], [[Allcargo Logistics]], [[Antrix Corporation]], and [[Tejas Networks]]. He was also chairman of Aditya Auto Products and Engineering. In the non-profit and academic sector, he has been on the Governance Council of the [[MICA (institute)|Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad]] (MICA) and the editorial board of the [[The Journal of Entrepreneurship|''Journal of Entrepreneurship'']].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" />

== Selected publications ==

=== Papers ===

* Ramachandran, J.; Gopal, S.; Manikandan, K. S. (2021). "Are there limits to diversification in emerging economies? Distinguishing between firm-level and business group strategies." ''Journal of Management Studies''. '''58''' (6). {{doi|10.1111/joms.12680}}

* Ramachandran, J.; Patvardhan, S. (2020). "Shaping the Future: Strategy Making as Artificial Evolution." ''Organization Science''. '''31''' (3). {{doi|10.1287/orsc.2019.1321}}

* Ramachandran, J.; Pant, A. (2017). "Navigating identity duality in multinational subsidiaries: A paradox lens on identity claims at Hindustan Unilever, 1959–2015." ''Journal of International Business Studies''. '''48''': 664–692. {{doi|10.1057/s41267-017-0076-x}}

* Ramachandran, J.; Manikandan, K. S. (2015). "Beyond institutional voids: Business groups, incomplete markets, and organizational form." ''Strategic Management Journal''. '''36''' (4): 598–617. {{doi|10.1002/smj.2226}}

* Ramachandran, J.; Manikandan, K. S.; Pant, A. (2013). "Why do conglomerates thrive (outside the U.S.)?" ''Harvard Business Review''. '''91''' (12): 111–119.

* Ramachandran, J.; Pant, A. (2012). "Legitimacy beyond borders: Indian software services firms in the United States, 1984–2004." ''Global Strategy Journal''. '''2''': 224–243. {{doi|10.1111/j.2042-5805.2012.01037.x}}

* Ramachandran, J.; Pant, A.; Pani, S. (2012). "Building the BOP producer ecosystem: The evolving engagement of Fabindia with Indian handloom artisans." ''Journal of Product Innovation Management''. '''29''' (1): 33–51. {{doi|10.1111/j.1540-5885.2011.00877.x}}

* Ramachandran, J.; Manikandan, K. S. (2012). "Growth and persistence of business groups in emerging markets: Towards solving the puzzle." ''Academy of Management Proceedings''. {{doi|10.5465/AMBPP.2012.93}}

* Ramachandran, J.; Pant, A. (2011). "How do subsidiaries confront institutional duality? Identity claims at Hindustan Lever, 1961–2009." ''Academy of Management Proceedings''. {{doi|10.5465/ambpp.2011.65870610}}

* Ramachandran, J.; Pant, A. (2010). "The liabilities of origin: An emerging economy perspective on the costs of doing business abroad." In Devinney, T. M.; Pedersen, T.; Tihanyi, L. (eds.), ''Advances in International Management: The Past, Present and Future of International Business and Management'', Vol. 23. New York: Emerald. {{doi|10.1108/S1571-5027(2010)00000230017}}

* Ramachandran, J.; Pant, A.; Gunta, S. (2008). "Research in emerging economies: Reading small type in dim light in a speeding train?" ''Academy of Management Proceedings''. {{doi|10.5465/ambpp.2008.33662184}}

=== Teaching cases ===

* Ramachandran, J.; Ramesh, S.; Manikandan, K. S. (2021). ''[https://hbsp.harvard.edu/product/IMB899-PDF-ENG The House of Tata: Governance Challenges (A)]''. IIM Bangalore.

* Ramachandran, J.; Ramesh, S.; Manikandan, K. S. (2021). ''[https://hbsp.harvard.edu/product/IMB901-PDF-ENG The House of Tata: Governance Challenges (B)]''. IIM Bangalore.

* Ramachandran, J.; Ramesh, S.; Shah, P. (2021). ''[https://hbsp.harvard.edu/product/IMB897-PDF-ENG Motherson Sumi Systems Limited: Rewiring the Ownership Structure]''. IIM Bangalore.

* Ramachandran, J.; Bajaj, N. (2021). ''[https://hbsp.harvard.edu/product/IMB849-PDF-ENG The Art of Living: Celebrating Life]''. IIM Bangalore.

* Ramachandran, J.; Ramesh, S. (2020). ''[https://hbsp.harvard.edu/product/IMB847-PDF-ENG Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited: Disclosure Practices]''. IIM Bangalore.

* Ramachandran, J.; Ramesh, S. (2020). ''[https://hbsp.harvard.edu/product/IMB837-PDF-ENG Yes Bank Limited: Too Big to Fail?]''. IIM Bangalore.

* Ramachandran, J.; Dutta, S. (2020). ''[https://hbsp.harvard.edu/product/IMB825-PDF-ENG Mindtree Limited: Hostile Acquisition]''. IIM Bangalore.

* Ramachandran, J.; Pradhan, D. (2020). ''[https://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cbmp/product/IMB805-PDF-ENG Infosys Limited: Governance Imbroglio]''. IIM Bangalore.

* Ramachandran, J.; Garg, J. (2019). ''[https://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cbmp/product/IMB749-PDF-ENG Asian Paints Limited: Painting History]''. IIM Bangalore.

* Ramachandran, J.; Garg, P. (2019). ''[https://hbsp.harvard.edu/product/IMB739-PDF-ENG Hindustan Unilever Limited (A): Growing with India]''. IIM Bangalore.

* Ramachandran, J.; Garg, P.; Kashyap, B. (2019). ''[https://hbsp.harvard.edu/product/IMB741-PDF-ENG Hindustan Unilever Limited (B): Winning in Many Indias]''. IIM Bangalore.

* Ramachandran, J.; Garg, P.; Kashyap, B. (2019). ''[https://hbsp.harvard.edu/product/IMB743-PDF-ENG Hindustan Unilever Limited (C): Boosting Growth in India]''. IIM Bangalore.

* Ramachandran, J.; Manikandan, K. S.; Rajyalakshmi, K. (2016). ''[https://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cbmp/product/IMB597-PDF-ENG Leading the Tata Group (A): The Ratan Tata Years]''. IIM Bangalore.

* Ramachandran, J.; Manikandan, K. S. (2016). ''[https://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cbmp/product/IMB599-PDF-ENG Leading the Tata Group (B): The Cyrus Mistry Years]''. IIM Bangalore.

* Ramachandran, J.; Manukonda, S.; Awate, K. (2016). ''[https://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cbmp/product/IMB601-PDF-ENG Ranbaxy Limited: Changing Aspirations]''. IIM Bangalore.

* Ramachandran, J.; Garg, P. (2016). ''[https://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cbmp/product/IMB603-PDF-ENG i-flex Solutions (A): Winning Unconventionally]''. IIM Bangalore.

* Ramachandran, J.; Garg, P. (2016). ''[https://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cbmp/product/IMB603-PDF-ENG i-flex Solutions (B): The Oracle Years]''. IIM Bangalore.

* Ramachandran, J.; Krishnamurthy, R.; Garg, P. (2016). ''[https://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cbmp/product/IMB581-PDF-ENG Indian Software Services Industry: The Changing Landscape]''. IIM Bangalore.

* Ramachandran, J.; Gupta, S. (2016). ''[https://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cbmp/product/IMB569-PDF-ENG DDB Mudra Group (A): Transformative Growth]''. IIM Bangalore.

* Ramachandran, J.; Gupta, S. (2016). ''[https://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cbmp/product/IMB571-PDF-ENG DDB Mudra Group (B): Profitable Growth]''. IIM Bangalore.

* Ramachandran, J.; Gupta, S. (2013). "''[[doi:10.1142/S0218927513500090|The Park Hotels: Communicating Experience]]''." ''Asian Case Research Journal''. '''17''' (2): 199–224.

* Ramachandran, J.; Manikandan, K. S. (2012). ''[https://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cbmp/product/IMB375-PDF-ENG ITC Limited: India First]''. IIM Bangalore.

* Ramachandran, J.; Gupta, S. (2010). ''[https://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cbmp/product/IMB373-PDF-ENG The Park Hotels: Designing Experience]''. IIM Bangalore.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

== External links ==

* [https://www.iimb.ac.in/node/4947 Faculty profile at IIM Bangalore]
* [https://hbsp.harvard.edu/search?action=&f-author=J%20Ramachandran J. Ramachandran at Harvard Business Publishing]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ramachandran, J}}
[[Category:Academic staff of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Indian academics]]
[[Category:Indian businesspeople]]

J. Ramachandran - Revision history

Davidcza at 10:04, 25 March 2026