Strategy
Family Business
Entrepreneurship
Rajiv Agarwal holds a PhD from Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani, with a focus on Family Managed Businesses in India. He holds a master’s in management from S. P. Jain Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai (SPJIMR), and has pursued ‘The Owner / President Management Programme’ from Harvard Business School.
His research and teaching expertise is in Strategy, Family Business, and Entrepreneurship. His research enthusiasm is reflected through intellectual contributions in journal publications, authoring books and book chapters, periodicals, simulations, and media publications.
In his career spanning 30 years, he has held senior executive roles with organisations in the electronics industry, simultaneously pursuing his passion for teaching management education. He is the Department Chair and Professor of Strategy at SPJIMR.
Ph.D., 2017
Focus: Career choices of successors in Family Managed Businesses in Indian Context
Owner/ President Management Programme (OPM), 2001
MMS, 1991
Major: Marketing and Finance
ICWAI (Intermediate), 1990
BCom, 1989
Major: Financial Accounting
Strategy
Family Business
Entrepreneurship
Aggarwal, A. and Agarwal, R. (2024), “Sony Merger with ZEE in India: Taking on Disney+ Hotstar”, SAGE Business Cases Original, SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781071921906
Aggarwal, A. and Agarwal, R. (2023), “Mamaearth: a brand growth story”, Emerald Emerging Markets Case Studies, Vol. 13 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/EEMCS-08-2023-0308
Agarwal, R., Gore, R., (2022), “Harish at Maharani Pharma”, SAGE Business Cases. http://sk.sagepub.com/cases/harish-at-maharani-pharma
Agarwal, R. (2021). Managing Expectations and Stakeholders: Harsh Ahuja’s Family Dilemma. SAGE Business Cases. http://sk.sagepub.com/cases/managing-expectations-stakeholders-harsh-ahuja-family-dilemma
Agarwal, R. (2021). Sunil Kapoor at SK Industries: Managing Family Businesses. SAGE Business Cases. http://sk.sagepub.com/cases/sunil-kapoor-at-sk-industries-managing-family-businesses
Agarwal, R., Agarwal, A.U., Khattar, V. and Mahapatra, G., (2024). Devita Saraf and VU from the top. Harvard Business Publishing. Product number: IM005B-PDF-ENG.
Aggarwal, A. and Agarwal, R. (2024). Parag Milk Foods: Driving growth through brand-building in India’s dairy industry. Ivey Publishing. Product number: W34557.
Agarwal, R. (2023). IndiGo’s competitors fly in. Harvard Business Publishing (Quick Case). Product number: 7955-HTM-ENG.
Agarwal, R. (2023). Taj Hotels: Jewel in the crown? Harvard Business Publishing (Quick Case). Product number: 7959-HTM-ENG.
Agarwal, R. (2022). Microsoft Acquires Activision Blizzard: Beating Sony in Gaming and the Metaverse. Ivey Publishing.
Agarwal, R. (2019). Family Business Simulation: Honey Heritage. Harvard Business Publishing.
Aggarwal, A. & Agarwal, R. (2018). Balaji Wafers: Taking the Pepsi challenge. Ivey Publishing.
Datta, S. & Agarwal, R. (2024). ‘Paradoxical Lenses: Threats or opportunities for decent work?’, Chapter in Decent Work Worldwide: Universal Values, Diverse Expressions. CRV Publisher.
Agarwal, R. (2023). Managing Family Business: Dynamics, Challenges, and Opportunities. Routledge India; 1st edition (23 November 2023)
Agarwal, R. (2022). Family Business Management. SAGE Publications India Pvt. Ltd., 2022. (pp. 300 pages)
Agarwal, R. (2020). Management Lessons from the Masters: Persevere and Prevail like Mukesh Ambani. (pp. 192 pages). Rupa Publications India. https://www.amazon.in/PERSEVERE-PREVAIL-LIKE-MUKESH-AMBANI/dp/9353338255/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Agarwal, R. (2019). Management Lessons from the Masters: Believe to Succeed like Azim Premji. (pp. 136 pages). Rupa Publications India. https://rupapublications.co.in/books/management-lessons-from-the-masters-believe-to-succeed-like-azim-premji/
Agarwal, R. (2019). Succeed to Inspire like the Tatas. (pp. 200 pages). Rupa Publications India. https://www.amazon.in/Succeed-Inspire-Tatas-Rajiv-Agarwal/dp/9353335701/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Agarwal, R. (2019). Management Lessons from The Masters: Lead with Purpose Like Anand Mahindra (pp. 184 pages). Rupa Publications India. https://www.amazon.in/Lead-Purpose- Like-Anand-Mahindra/dp/9353335043/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=rajiv+agarwal&qid=1559809050&s=books& sr=1-2
Agarwal, R. (2019). Think, Lead and Strategize Like Kumar Mangalam Birla (pp. 184 pages). Rupa Publications India. https://www.amazon.in/Think-Strategize-Kumar-Mangalam-Birla/dp/935333439X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=kumar+mangalam+birla&qid=1642499223&s=books&sprefix=kumar+manag%2Cstripbooks%2C171&sr=1-1
Agarwal, R., D’Souza, K., Kumbluvelil, A. J. (2017). AGV: Crisis at the top. Cases in Leadership 4/e by Rowe, G., Guerrero, L. SAGE Publications, Inc., 2015.
Agarwal, R., Verma, A., Aston India Centre for Applied Research 2019 Conference-AICAR 2019 Conference, “Industry Sectoral Influences on Succession in Family Managed Businesses in India: A conceptual analysis”, Aston Business School, Birmingham, UK. (August 31, 2019)
Agarwal, R., (2023). Alignment between generations crucial for family offices: SPJIMR’s Agarwal at VCCircle summit. VCCircle.
Agarwal, R. (2023). Lessons for business families from the HBO series, Succession. Financial Express.
Agarwal, R. (2022). Sony-Zee Merger: The Battle With Disney For Indian Audiences. BW, Business World.
Agarwal, R. (2022). Microsoft’s Activision acquisition is a bet on Gaming and Metaverse. Business Today.
Agarwal, R. (2020). Board Seats for Women Successors: It is a matter of mindsets, not rights. Economic Times.
Agarwal, R. (2020). Amazon continues its juggernaut into the physical retail domain: Malls pivot to survive. ET BrandEquity.
Agarwal, R. (2020). Tough road ahead for Intel? Forbes India.
Agarwal, R. (2020). Covid-19 crisis: A golden opportunity for family businesses. Fortune India.
Agarwal, R. (2020). Online classes will change education forever; here’s how business schools must evolve. Financial Express.
Agarwal, R. (2020). Education in post-Covid-19 era. Financial Express.
Agarwal, R. (2020). Leadership in the time of Covid-19 for Family businesses. The Hindu Business Line.
Agarwal, R. (2020). Family business: Leadership in the time of Covid-19. Fortune India.
Agarwal, R. (2020). Why Modis cannot afford another family dispute. BW Business World.
Agarwal, R. (2020). The role of sons-in-law in family businesses. Fortune India.
Agarwal, R. (2020). The role of daughters in Indian family businesses. Fortune India.
Agarwal, R. (2019). Succession in family businesses: Right, responsibility, or a privilege? Fortune India.
Agarwal, R. (2019). Why Forever 21 heralds what is wrong with family businesses. Forbes India.
Agarwal, R. (2018). Free and superior service: New rules of competition. Fortune India.
Agarwal, R. (2018). Should families stay together? Fortune India.
Agarwal, R. (2018). The case for setting up family offices. Fortune India.
Agarwal, R. (2018). The need for family offices. Fortune India.
Agarwal, R. (2018). Decoding Family Office. Business Today. Print Edition.
Agarwal, R. (2018). The evolution of family offices. Forbes India.
Agarwal, R. (2018). Philanthropy in Business Families: The growing role of the Daughters in law. The Economic Times Family Business Forum.
Agarwal, R. (2018). Successor’s dilemma: To or not to take over an unethical family business. Forbes India.
Agarwal, R. (2018). In defence of the Silver Spoon Kids. People Matters.
Agarwal, R. (2017). 7 considerations when hiring professionals for a family business 26th Sept. 2017, Inc.com USA.
Agarwal, R. (2017). Less is More, Indian Management Magazine, August 2017, Vol 56, Issue 8, page 76.
Agarwal, R. (2017). Leadership lessons for leaders: What would they look like? Forbes India, July 20, 2017
Agarwal, R. (2017). Family Managed Businesses and the dilemma of stepping down in favour of professionals, Forbes Online, Thought Leadership, July 7, 2017.
Agarwal, R. (2017). “Yudh ki karvai ke tarah hoti hai destination wedding” Dainik Bhaskar, Indore, Business Page.
Agarwal, R. (2017). The need for family businesses to stay relevant, BW Businessworld, June 11, 2017.
Agarwal, R. (2017). Asian Paints’ Jalaj Dani Resigns After 18 years, BW Businessworld, June 11, 2017.
Agarwal, R. (2017). How to grow kids in Wealth, BW Businessworld, June 11, 2017.
Agarwal, R. (2017). The Need for Family Businesses to Stay Relevant, Forbes India, June 28, 2017.
Agarwal, R. (2017). Surviving the Silver Spoon, HuffingtonPost, June 4, 2017.
Agarwal, R. (2017). Legacies redefined, Business India, March 27, 2017.
Agarwal, R. (2017). When good companies make disastrous moves, Forbes India Magazine, Thought Leadership, March 17, 2017.
Agarwal, R. (2016). Why Ananya Birla’s Singing debut is applaudable, Business Today, December 16, 2016.
Agarwal, R. (2016). Cipla’s path-breaking succession formula, The Hindu Business Line, December 15, 2016.
Agarwal, R. (2016). The Cyrus Mistry Tata Sons imbroglio is a common family business issue, Forbes India Magazine, Thought Leadership, December 13, 2016.
Agarwal, R. (2016). Dealing with LGBT in business families, Op-Ed, The Economic Times, December 10, 2016.
Agarwal, R. (2016). Business in the time of Broken Families, The Hindu Business Line, April 13, 2016.
Women Entrepreneurship in India: Managing the Social Paradoxes. A white paper published by SPJIMR – FICCI FLO Mumbai, December 2020. Was the Project Leader along with five co-authors. This report was released by Mr. Amitabh Kant, Chairman NITI Ayog on 12th March 2021.
Strategy (Business Policy & Strategy, Corporate Entrepreneurship, Corporate Alliances)
Entrepreneurship
Family Business
Family Business
Strategy
Entrepreneurship
Professor, SPJIMR. (Jul 2017 – Present)
Associate Professor, SPJIMR. (Feb 2012 – Oct 2017)
Group Head, Strategy, SPJIMR (May 2019 – Present).
Director, Ma and Pa Pvt Ltd. (2021 – Present).
Director, Aftab Electronics Pvt Ltd. (2019 – Present).
Director, Multispark Electronics Pvt Ltd. (2019 – Present).
Independent Director, Polson Limited. (2019 – Present).
Director, Rajes Art Printers Pvt Ltd. (2019 – Present).
Director, KRCD India Pvt Ltd, Mumbai. (1994 – Present)
Director, Rajes Art Printers Pvt. Ltd. (1992 – 1999).
Management Trainee
Management Trainee
Various assignments in Family Business Advising and Strategy
Management/Executive Development, Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd (Suppliers programme), 23 participants. (January 11, 2020 – January 25, 2020).
Management/Executive Development, Huntsman PU Division, 27 participants. (November 4, 2019 – November 5, 2019).
Management/Executive Development, Sony Pictures, 30 participants. (October 17, 2019 – October 18, 2019).
Management/Executive Development, MDP-CAPSTONE FOR PIDILITE. (September 16, 2019 – September 21, 2019).
Management/Executive Development, Pidilite, 29 participants. (July 1, 2019 – September 21, 2019).
Management/Executive Development, MDP CAPSTONE PIDILITE. (July 1, 2019 – August 10, 2019).
Management/Executive Development, SPJIMR, 4 participants. (May 5, 2018 – April 7, 2019).
Management/Executive Development, SPJIMR, 7 participants. (April 23, 2018 – March 14, 2019).
Management/Executive Development, Pidilite, 27 participants. (February 19, 2019).
Management/Executive Development, Pidilite, 27 participants. (October 21, 2018 – October 27, 2018).
Management/Executive Development, Pidilite, 27 participants. (August 20, 2018 – August 26, 2018).
Management/Executive Development, Delhi Centre. (July 14, 2018 – July 15, 2018).
Management/Executive Development, Pidilite, 27 participants. (June 18, 2018 – June 24, 2018).
Management/Executive Development, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, 20 participants. (January 2, 2018 – January 3, 2018).
Management/Executive Development, Public Programme, 20 participants. (October 25, 2017 – October 27, 2017).
Management/Executive Development, CGI, India, 29 participants. (July 12, 2017 – October 13, 2017).
Management/Executive Development, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, 30 participants. (August 1, 2017 – August 2, 2017).
Management/Executive Development, Mazgaon Dock Ltd., 26 participants. (May 8, 2017).
Editorial board of SAGE Journal
Reviewed cases and articles for Emerald and Journal of Family Business Management
Board of Academics, Nirma University, Department of Management. (2016 – 2019)
Member, Family Firm Institute, Boston, USA.
Advanced Certificate in Family Business Advising (ACFBA), Family Firm Institute, Boston. (October 28, 2020 – Present)
Advanced Certificate in Family Wealth Advising (ACFWA), Family Firm Institute Boston. (October 28, 2020 – Present)
G. Certified Strategist, Prof. G of NYU Stern School. (July 31, 2020 – Present)
Certificate in Family Business Advising (CFBA), Family Firm Institute, Boston. (2016 – Present)
Certificate in Family Wealth Advising (CFWA), Family Firm Institute, Boston. (2016 – Present)
Executive Certificate programme for Fast growing businesses, Stanford Business School. (2006 – Present)