SOAR 2026: Advancing research through Game Theory and Laboratory Experiments
April 6-10, 2026
From 6 to 10 April 2026, the S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR) hosted the first edition of the Summer School in Operations and Analytics Research (SOAR) at its Mumbai campus, in collaboration with XLRI – the Xaviers Institute of Management and the Department of Management Studies, IIT Madras. Led by the Operations, Supply Chain Management, and Quantitative Methods (OSCMQM) group at SPJIMR, this intensive five-day programme, themed ‘Game Theory and Laboratory Experiments’, attracted PhD scholars and faculty, eager to develop expertise in contemporary and upcoming methodologies in the domain of Operations and Supply Chain Management (OSCM).
The inaugural edition received an overwhelming response with a total of 112 applications and witnessed participation from 27 doctoral scholars and 39 faculty members representing business schools across India.
Prof. Varun Nagraj, Dean, SPJIMR and Convener, Prof. Sajeev Abraham George, welcomed participants and facilitators to SPJIMR, highlighting SOAR’s objective of creating a platform where OSCM researchers can engage deeply with research methodologies.
SOAR 2026 delivered an application-oriented curriculum that focused on developing core methodological competencies. In the first three days, participants explored foundational and advanced game-theoretic models, including simultaneous and dynamic games involving both complete and asymmetric information. In the last two days, the focus shifted to the foundations of laboratory experiments, where attendees learned to design, operationalise, and analyse experimental data within the OSCM context.
Renowned experts from India’s leading institutions, Prof Sachin Jayaswal (IIM Ahmedabad), Prof Sriram Sankaranarayanan (ISB Mohali), Prof. Omkar Palsule-Desai (IIT Bombay), Prof. B Vipin (IIT Madras), and Prof. Mohd Mujahid Khan (IIM Amritsar) facilitated the sessions. The faculty employed a blend of rigorous theoretical instruction and hands-on exercises, empowering participants to leverage these methodologies in their own academic work. To ensure a strong start, SPJIMR professors Subir Rao, Shivanee Pethe and Akansha Misra held online pre-sessions to introduce core concepts to participants. A panel of eminent scholars, moderated by Prof. Alok Raj, Xavier Institute of Management (XLRI), helped participants bridge methodological rigour with the practice of research. Prof Subodha Kumar, Fox School of Business,Temple University, Prof. T T Niranjan, Maastricht University School of Business and Economics, Prof. Debjit Roy, IIM Ahmedabad and Prof. Arshinder Kaur, IIT Madras encouraged participants to adopt a problem first approach to research, highlighting that a focus on an interesting and impactful problem supported by rigorous methodology is the path to finding success. The workshop fostered a vibrant environment for peer learning and professional networking, allowing participants to build lasting academic connections.
The week concluded with participants receiving a certificate confirming their successful completion of the programme. By providing deep insights into game-theoretic models and laboratory experiments, SOAR 2026 successfully equipped the cohort of researchers with the methodological expertise required to tackle modern research challenges.
Reflecting on the proceedings, Conveners Prof. Akansha Misra and Prof. Shivanee Pethe noted, “We attribute the success of the workshop to the continuous encouragement and support provided by the instructors and SPJIMR, and the enthusiasm with which the participants approached and engaged with the content.”
Participant speak
Prof. Vinay Kumar Kalakbandi
Associate Professor, IMT Hyderabad
Discussing his experience at SOAR 2026, Prof. Vinay Kumar Kalakbandi, Associate Professor, IMT Hyderabad, shared:
Key takeaways from the workshop
- Technical growth: Gained deeper insights into cutting-edge modelling techniques and behavioural operations to bridge existing knowledge gaps.
- Strategic modelling: Expanded understanding of game theory’s power to model complex, real-world operational decisions.
- Research direction: Gained clarity on current trends and peer work, helping shape a 3–5-year research agenda through potential collaborations.
Impact on research perspective
- Refreshed outlook: Reconnected with the “doctoral programme ambience,” providing a productive escape from routine administrative pressures.
- Collaborative value: Highlighted how high-level intellectual exchange with a diverse cohort accelerates research growth and identifies new directions.
Shimona Shriya, Ph.D.
Early career researcher
Shimona Shriya, an early-career researcher who recently completed her Ph.D. in Operations Management from IIM Bodh Gaya, shared her highlights from the 5-day workshop:
Key takeaways
- Foundational mastery: Deepened her understanding of game theory and experimental methods, specifically how to select the ‘best fit’ models for specific research goals.
- Human-centric modelling: Gained a perspective on how mathematical models must accurately reflect behavioural aspects to create real value for customers.
- Academic professionalism: Learned valuable lessons in pedagogy, including how to be a more effective presenter and how to navigate complex audience questions.
- Research breakthrough: Resolved a specific bottleneck in her current paper after a productive discussion with Prof. Omkar (IIT Bombay).
- Futureproofing: Identified 2–3 specific models she can apply to her work in matching markets and service operations for the next 5–10 years.