IIMB Spotlight
Dr. Gopal Das Appointed to Editorial Review Boards of Prestigious Marketing Journals
Dr. Gopal Das, faculty in the Marketing area at IIM Bangalore, has been selected as a member of the editorial review board for two distinguished marketing journals—the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science (JAMS) and the Journal of Product Innovation Management (JPIM).
JAMS, recognized as an FT50 journal, is among the most influential publications in marketing, featuring cutting-edge research that shapes global marketing practices. JPIM, also highly regarded, focuses on innovation and product management, contributing valuable insights to both academia and industry. Both journals hold an A-category ranking at IIM Bangalore, underscoring their academic prestige.
IIMB Researchers Win Best Paper Award at INDAM 2025
A research team from IIM Bangalore—Prof. Sai Chittaranjan Kalubandi (Strategy), Prof. Apurva Sanaria (OB&HRM), and Harshitha Ravi (Former AA, Entrepreneurship)—has won the Best Paper Award at the 10th Indian Academy of Management (INDAM) Conference in the International Business track.
Their paper, “Influence of Institutional Contexts on Family Firms’ Internationalization: A Meta-Analysis,” examines how regulatory frameworks and cultural traditions shape global expansion strategies for family businesses. It highlights how factors like trade policies and cultural orientations impact decisions on exports versus riskier international ventures.
The study provides insights into why family firms from different regions adopt distinct internationalization approaches, offering valuable perspectives for policymakers and business leaders. This recognition at INDAM 2025 underscores IIMB’s contribution to impactful research in global business strategy.
IIMB PGP Students Secure Third Place at HDFC Life Case Competition
Akshay Prashant and Akash Dhanania, PGP 2025 students at IIM Bangalore, clinched the second runner-up position at the HDFC Life Aspire Case Competition, competing against over 10,000 participants. Their winning idea, HDFC Aspire+, is a fintech-driven platform designed to enhance financial inclusion and insurance accessibility for Gen Z in India.
HDFC Aspire+ introduces affordable, goal-based ULIPs while integrating savings tools that convert everyday expenses into micro-investments. The platform also extends its reach to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities through a mix of digital and physical engagement.
With seamless API integration into fintech platforms like Zerodha and PhonePe, Aspire+ promotes financial literacy and security for India’s digital-first generation. This recognition highlights the students’ innovative approach to bridging the gap between fintech and insurance, reinforcing IIM Bangalore’s legacy of fostering entrepreneurial and strategic thinking.
IIMB’s Ashapurna Das Wins Second Best Paper Award at INDAM Conference
Ashapurna Das, an NSR Pre-Doctoral Fellow at IIM Bangalore, secured the second-best paper award in the International Business track at the 10th INDAM Conference. Her research, co-authored with Prof. Apurva Sanaria (OB&HRM), explores entrepreneurial failure from a fresh perspective.
Titled “Entrepreneurial Impression Mismanagement: The Role of Resilience and Affordable Loss,” the study challenges traditional views on impression management, which often emphasize success. Instead, it examines how entrepreneurs navigate failed pitches and recover effectively.
The research highlights the importance of resilience and strategic action in overcoming setbacks. It offers valuable insights into how entrepreneurs can manage failure constructively, fostering learning and growth. This recognition at INDAM underscores IIMB’s commitment to impactful research in entrepreneurship and organizational behavior.
IIMB PGPEM Students Shine as National Runners-Up in XLRI Case Competition
Bargavi A K, Gethaara Gowri Gowthami N, and Rakesh S, first-year PGPEM students at IIM Bangalore, secured the national runners-up position in the tech track of Ensemble Valhalla, XLRI Jamshedpur’s prestigious product management competition. Competing against 1,233 teams, they impressed judges with their innovative ed-tech solution, PrepSphere.
PrepSphere is a centralized MBA preparation platform leveraging AI, blockchain, and gamification to enhance learning. It features personalized study plans, blockchain-based certifications, and VR/AR-powered mentorship, ensuring an engaging and effective experience.
Designed for accessibility, the platform offers affordable pricing and regional language support, catering to Tier-2 and Tier-3 students. The team’s roadmap includes partnerships with top institutions like IIMs and expansion into advanced education programs.
