Faculty Research Highlights from Sona School of Management: Sona School of Business and Management (SBM) stands out not just for its MBA curriculum, but for the vibrant Faculty Research Highlights from Sona School of Management that enrich classroom learning.
Professors at SBM dive into real-world problems—from finance and marketing to supply chain, HR, and social development—ensuring that students engage with the latest insights and industry-relevant knowledge. Their active research not only enhances pedagogy but positions students at the frontier of business innovation and policy impact.
Faculty Research Highlights from Sona School of Management
At the heart of SBM’s educational ethos are its Faculty Research Highlights from Sona School of Management, showcasing a blend of academic rigor and real-world relevance. This research spans seven core areas and supports hands-on student involvement, cutting-edge innovation labs, and industry-focused consultancy. The work leads to actionable insights, published studies, and policy-informing projects that reinforce SBM’s reputation as a hub for managerial thought leadership.
Overview Table
| Research Domain | Key Focus Areas |
| Finance | Bank performance, asset-liability management, behavioral finance, blockchain in financial services |
| Marketing & Consumer Behavior | Infomercial impact, vending machine use, wellness product trends, TV ads, loyalty and logistics |
| Human Resources & Organizational Behavior | Change management, employee stress, online learning, COVID-19 workforce studies |
| Operations & Supply Chain | Smart logistics, embedded systems, supply chain optimization |
| Business Analytics & Digital Transformation | BI tools in banking, Tableau, R, Python, Excel modeling |
| Entrepreneurship & Family Business | Women entrepreneurship, incubation center initiatives |
| Social & Economic Development | CSR in rural areas, rural empowerment, HDI, state-level planning projects |
Finance Research
SBM’s finance faculty are exploring bank performance in both public and private sectors, focusing on asset-liability management and investment policy. They’re also forging into behavioral finance, studying how investor attitudes influence market movements. One notable trend is their exploration of blockchain’s impact on financial services—which could reshape everything from payment systems to risk management. These studies feed directly into finance electives and offer MBA students a front-row seat to revolutionary financial technologies.
Marketing & Consumer Behavior
In marketing, SBM professors explore how consumers react to modern stimuli. They research the impact of infomercials and vending machine convenience on buying choices, as well as the role of wellness products in today’s market. Studies on TV ad influence, logistics service quality, and customer loyalty give students real cases to analyze. These themes, such as consumer mindset and brand relationships, enhance their strategic marketing toolkit and drive project-based learning.
Human Resources & Organizational Behavior
The HR and organizational behavior faculty at SBM delve into the human side of business. They examine employee commitment, readiness for change management in banks, and the stress employees faced during the COVID-19 era. Projects also investigate online learning perceptions and stress management, preparing students to lead in workplaces where employee experience matters. These insights are woven into HR courses and empower students to apply theory to emerging organizational challenges.
Operations & Supply Chain
Research in operations focuses on smart logistics and supply chain resilience. Faculty use embedded systems and Internet of Things (IoT) devices to explore efficient warehousing and distribution solutions. Students working in the labs test sensors and software models, learning how to solve real logistics problems. These applied insights inform operations modules and raise student readiness for careers in logistics and supply chain management.
Business Analytics & Digital Transformation
SBM’s analytics research explores how banks can better use business intelligence tools to improve performance. Professors mentor MBA students on Tableau dashboards, R, Python scripts, and Excel forecasting. These analyses help identify customer trends, product demand patterns, and risk areas—skills highly valued in today’s data-driven business world. The faculty’s hands-on approach in analytics labs bridges the gap between abstract data and strategic decision-making.
Entrepreneurship & Family Business
Faculty research in entrepreneurship emphasizes economics and social impact. They study how small ventures, especially those led by women, transform local communities. By guiding MBA students to incubate business ideas, professors foster startup culture within Sona SBM. This focus on practical entrepreneurship aligns with India’s push toward economic empowerment and innovation, preparing students to launch or support growing businesses.
Social & Economic Development Research
SBM faculty don’t just research private sector topics—they also address public good. Projects include rural CSR initiatives, human development index assessments, and state-level economic reports, conducted through the SONA Center for Research and Publications. These are often funded by government bodies, such as the Tamil Nadu Planning Commission. Students involved in these initiatives contribute to policy-making, giving them experience in consulting and impact-driven work.
Research-Driven Pedagogy and Student Involvement
Publications and Conferences
SBM faculty regularly publish in SCOPUS, Web of Science, and UGC CARE-indexed journals. They present at international conferences, contribute chapters to edited volumes, and share findings in national symposia. This active research culture ensures their teaching stays current and globally connected.
Faculty-Student Projects
Involving students in research projects is a hallmark of SBM’s academic model. Faculty-guided projects often result in co-authored papers, conference presentations, and live case submissions. This approach teaches students robust research methods and cements their confidence in academic inquiry.
Innovation Labs and Incubators
SBM’s innovation infrastructure includes analytics labs, entrepreneurship cells, and logistics simulation centers. Faculty mentors support student experimentation with tools like Tableau, Python, and embedded systems. This environment fosters innovation, creativity, and practical problem-solving.
Funded Consultancy
Some faculty lead externally funded projects, such as CSR assessments, HDI measurement tasks, and fintech pilots. These engagements enable students to participate in real consultancy assignments, transforming academic concepts into impactful solutions.
Doctoral Guidance
Faculty with PhDs support doctoral candidates in specialized research. This adds academic depth and enhances the school’s capacity for advanced inquiry. Their mentorship informs advanced methodology and publication strategies, benefitting both students and peers.
How Research Impacts the MBA Experience
- Curriculum Relevance: Research insights feed directly into case studies and classroom debates.
- Skill Application: Hands-on experience with tools like R or logistics sensors boosts employability.
- Industry Connect: Consultancy projects and government partnerships provide networking and practical exposure.
- Thought Leadership: Being part of funded and published projects enhances students’ confidence and credentials.
- Policy Influence: Participating in public research helps students engage in meaningful societal change.
Conclusion
The collection of Faculty Research Highlights from Sona School of Management reflects a learning environment where academic rigor, real-world relevance, and social purpose converge. From finance to rural development, faculty research informs the MBA experience, empowers students, and activates business innovation. The result? A well-rounded education that produces thinkers, doers, and leaders ready for today’s dynamic business landscape.
Final Thought & Call to Action
Faculty research at SBM does more than fill journals—it shapes futures. Are you ready to dive into business problems, co-author studies, and present at conferences? Explore SBM’s research labs, read the latest publications, and connect with faculty mentors. If this article inspired you, share it with aspiring MBA candidates or colleagues interested in applied research. Join the conversation and discover how research-driven education can shape your leadership journey.
