Contributions at Gujarat Institute of Development Research: Research and Policy Impact

Position & Period Worked
Assistant Professor at Gujarat Institute of Development Research
October 13, 2004 – November 6, 2005

1. Strategic Research Initiatives

Advancing Understanding of International Trade and Development

My research at GIDR focused on critical areas of international economics and development studies, producing insights for policy formulation and academic discourse.

Key Research Projects:

• Outward FDI by Indian SMEs (April–August 2005)
  • Consultative study sponsored by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Geneva
  • Collaborative research with M. K. Sahoo exploring internationalization patterns of Indian small and medium enterprises
• Globalization and Employment Patterns (2005)
  • Part of the Indo-Dutch Programme on Alternatives in Development (IDPAD)
  • Research focus: Impact of trade, foreign investment, and technology on organized Indian manufacturing employment
  • Theme: Globalization and Informalization – Consequences for Skill Formation, Security and Gender

2. Knowledge Contributions

A Multifaceted Portfolio of Research Outputs

Contributed significantly to academic literature through various publications spanning international trade, FDI, and development economics.

Books and Edited Volumes:

• “Industrialization, Economic Reforms and Regional Development: Essays in Honour of Professor Ashok Mathur” (2005)
  • Co-edited with S.K. Thorat and V. Abraham
  • Published by Shipra Publication, New Delhi

Journal Articles:

• Published 6 peer-reviewed articles in prestigious journals:

1. “Rise of Service Sector and Outward Foreign Direct Investment from Indian Economy: Trends, Patterns, and Determinants”
   GITAM Journal of Management, Vol. 4(1), pp. 70-97, 2006
   Publisher: GITAM University
2. “Overseas Mergers and Acquisitions by Indian Enterprises: Patterns and Motivations”
   Indian Journal of Economics, Vol. 85(33), pp. 365-386, 2005
   (with V. Abraham)
   Publisher: University of Allahabad
3. “Social and Cultural Impact of Outsourcing: Emerging Issues from Indian Call Centres”
   Harvard Asia Quarterly, Vol. 9(3), pp. 22-30, 2005
   (with V. Abraham)
   Publisher: Harvard Asia Center
4. “The Determinants of Outward Foreign Direct Investment: A Firm Level Analysis of Indian Manufacturing”
   Oxford Development Studies, Vol. 32(4), pp. 619-639, 2004
   Publisher: Routledge, Taylor & Francis
5. “Internationalization of Production By An Indian Enterprise: Explaining Trans-Border Growth of NIIT Ltd.”
   Journal of Asian Business, Vol. 20(2), pp. 41-57, 2005
   (with V. Abraham)
   Publisher: Ross School of Business
6. “Foreign Direct Investment and Labour: The Case of Indian Manufacturing”
   Labour & Development, Vol. 10(1), pp. 58-79, 2004
   (with V. Abraham and M.K. Sahoo)
   Publisher: V.V. Giri National Labour Institute

Book Chapters:

• “Foreign Direct Investment, Externalities and Economic Growth in Developing Countries” (with N. Kumar) in Multinationals and Foreign Investment in Economic Development (Palgrave)
• “Women’s Status and Economic Growth: An Analysis of Indian States” (with V. Abraham) in Industrialization, Economic Reforms and Regional Development

Working Papers:

• GIDR Working Paper No. 157: Technology Acquisition in Indian Manufacturing
• GIDR Working Paper No. 156: Export-Oriented FDI in India
• GIDR Working Paper No. 153: Outward FDI from India

3. Academic Engagement and Institutional Contributions

Policy Dialogue and Academic Development

Conference Presentation:

• Policy Review Seminar on Globalisation and Informalisation (October 17, 2005)
  • Venue: India International Center, New Delhi
  • Focus: Impact of trade, foreign investment, and technology on employment patterns

Institutional Development:

• Committee Member for M.Phil. Programme Development
  • Contributed to curriculum development in Development Economics

Impact Snapshot: GIDR Contributions at a Glance

• 2 Major research projects with international collaboration
• 1 Edited book advancing discourse on industrialization and development
• 6 Journal articles in prestigious international and national journals
• 2 Book chapters in notable edited volumes
• 3 Working papers contributing to policy discussions
• Significant contribution to institutional academic development

Closing Note:
My tenure at GIDR, though relatively brief, was marked by substantial academic output and meaningful contributions to both research and institutional development. The work undertaken during this period continues to inform discussions on international trade, foreign investment, and development economics.