Sumita Datta holds a Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, with her doctoral research conceptualised on Talent Development Climate. She has completed her Post Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management & Industrial Relations from XLRI, Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur, India.
She is an adjunct faculty in the area of People & Performance at SPJIMR. In her career spanning 30 years, she has led critical responsibilities in HR, Learning & Leadership Development, at leadership levels with prominent organisations in Automotive Manufacturing and Engineering Products companies for almost two decades.
Later, she pursued her passion in academics and joined management education. Her research interests cover topics including Innovation and HR practices, Diversity and Inclusion, and Careers Choices for Indian Women Managers. Her research contributions have been presented in leading journals and publications.
Ph.D., 2010
Focus: Talent Development Climate
Post Graduate Diploma, 1992
Major: Personnel Management & Industrial Relations
B.Sc, 1989
Major: Physics, Statistics & Mathematics
Organization Behavior and Social Psychology, including themes like:
Talent Development
Leadership Development
Innovative Work Behavior
Careers
Diversity & Inclusion with special attention to:
Role of leadership in creating a climate of inclusion and innovation
Gender and Leadership
Process view of learning and leadership development
Datta, S. and Shah, S. (2022), “Rocky road? Driving gender diversity & inclusion in Cummins India through inclusive leadership”, Vol. 12 No. 4. Emerald Insights. https://doi.org/10.1108/EEMCS-12-2021-0401
Datta, S., Budhwar, P., Agarwal, U. & Bhargava, S. (2021). “Impact Of HRM Practices On Innovative Behavior: Mediating Role of Talent Development Climate In Indian Firms”, The International Journal of Human Resource Management. DOI: 10.1080/09585192.2021.1973063.
Haldar, A., Datta, S. & Shah,S. (2019). “Tokenism or Realism? Gender Inclusion in Corporate Boards,” Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, Emerald Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-04-2019-0126.
Datta,S. & Agarwal,U. (2017). “Factors effecting career advancement of Indian women managers,” South Asian Journal of Business Studies, Vol. 6 Issue: 3, pp.314-336, 2017. (Scopus CS Q2: SJR 0.423; H-Index 8)
Aggarwal, U., Datta, S., Bhargava, S. & Blackbeard, S. (2012) “Linking Work Engagement and LMX to Innovative Work Behavior and Turnover Intentions”, Career Development International, 17, No. 3, 2012. (Scopus OBHR – Q1; SJR 0.425; H-Index 60)
Aggarwal, U., Bhargava, S. & Datta,S. (2009), “Identifying employees’ perceptions of psychological contract: A comparison between IT and BPO employees in India,” New Zealand Journal of Human Resource Management, Vol. 9 (1)
Aggarwal, U., Bhargava, S. & Datta, S (2007).“The relationship between human resource practices, psychological contract and employee engagement – Implications for managing talent,” IIMB Management Review, 19, No. 3. (Scopus BMA – Q2; SJR 1.052: H-Index 20)
Datta, S. & Shah, S., Case Study: ‘Driving D&I In Cummins India Through Inclusive Leadership’, under review in Emerald Emerging Market Cases
Agarwal, R., Datta, S., Gore, R. & Natrajan, M. (2021). “Navigating the social paradoxes: A study on women entrepreneurship in India”, a white paper published by FICCI-FLO & SPJIMR.
Datta, S. & Shah, S. (2020). ‘Satisficing career choices of Indian women managers’, Chapter 6 in Career Dynamics in a Global World Indian and Western Perspectives edited by Premarajan Raman Kadiyil, Anneleen Forrier and Michael B. Arthur. Edward Elgar. https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/career-dynamics-in-a-global-world-9781789901498.html
Dhir, V. L., Bremner, N. M., Datta, S. (2016). An Examination of the Social-Institutional, Cultural, and Organizational Antecedents of Commitment in India. Handbook of Employee Commitment (pp. 403-417).
Handbook of Employee Commitment; Edward Elgar Publishing; Edited by John P. Meyer, University of Western Ontario, Canada; Oct 2016 576 pp; Part VI Commitment across Cultures-Chapter 29
Dhir, V. L. (Author & Presenter), Datta, S. (Author), Shah, S. (Author), 83rd Annual Meeting Conference 2023, “Far yet close: An experiential e-learning model for developing relational competencies”, Academy of Management (AOM), Boston, Massachusetts, USA. (August 9, 2023)
Dhir, V. L. (Author & Presenter), Datta, S. (Author), Shah, S. (Author), EURAM Annual Conference 2023, “Balancing high tech & high touch: An experiential e-learning model for developing relational competencies”, EURAM 2023, Dublin. (June 14, 2023)
Datta, S. (Author & Presenter), EURAM 2022 Annual Conference, “An Integrated Model for Leadership Development in the Phygital Era: A Community of Practice Approach“, The European Academy of Management (EURAM). (June 15, 2022)
Datta, S. (Presenter), Shah, S., EURAM 2021 Online Conference, “A Journey Towards Developing An Inclusive Workplace: The Case of Cummins India.” (June 18, 2021)
Datta, S. (Author & Presenter), EURAM 2020 Online Conference, “Career Choices Of Indian Women Managers: Lens Of Bounded Rationality”. Trinity College. (December 6, 2020)
Haldar, A., Datta, S. & Shah, S. (2020), Academy of Management Proceedings 2020 “Double Glass Ceiling? Gender Diversity On Corporate Boards In India”.
Haldar, A., Datta, S. & Shah,S. (2019). Role of Human and Social Capital In Appointment of Women On Corporate Boards In India, Conference of Aston India Centre for Applied Research. Recognized as Best Paper for Innovative Research, AICAR 2019.
Datta, S. (Author & Presenter), Shah, S. (Author), Srinivasan, V. (Author), Baral, R. (Author), 79th Academy of Management and Annual Meeting Programme, “Industry-Academic Collaboration: An inclusive agenda for growth,” Boston. (August 11, 2019).
Datta, S. (Author & Presenter), Shah, S. (Author), Haldar, A. (Author), 79th Academy of Management and Annual Meeting Programme, “Tokenism or realism? Gender inclusion lens for corporate boards & ownership structure in India,” Boston. (August 11, 2019).
Datta, S. (Author & Presenter), Haldar, A. (Author & Presenter), Shah, S. (Author & Presenter), EURAM 2019, “Does ownership structure drive women representation on corporate boards – evidence from India,” Lisbon. (June 26, 2019).
Stacy, L. & Datta, S. (2019). “A Job Demand – Resources Approach To Women Entrepreneurship in Portugal, ” EURAM Conference Proceedings 2019”.
Shah, S., Datta, S., Academy of Management Annual Conference, Illinois, Chicago, “Satisficing Career Chokes of Indian Women Managers,” USA. (August 10, 2018)
Haldar, A. (Presenter), Shah, S. (Presenter), Datta, S. (Presenter), 26th Annual Conference of National Academy of Psychology, “Social Psychology of Corporate Governance in India: Implications for diversity,” IIT Madras, Chennai. (December 29, 2016)
Datta, S., Agarwal, U., Gender Generate, Academy of Management, “Exploring the Antecedents of Women Leadership Pipeline in India,” Anaheim, USA. (August 6, 2016)
Datta, S. & Bhargava, S. (2012) “Linking Human Resource Practices and Talent Development Climate with Innovative Work Behavior”, Academy of Management Proceedings 2012, No.1, 2012. Awarded Best Paper for the Academy of Management Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, (August 3-6, 2012)
Aggarwal, U.A., Datta, S., Bhargava, S. & Blackbeard, S. (2010). “Linking Work Engagement and LMX to Innovative Work Behavior and Turnover Intentions”, Academy of Management Proceedings, 2010 No. 1.
Datta, S., Bhargava, S. & Aggarwal, U. (2008). “An examination of antecedent practices, correlates and outcomes of talent development in organizations,” conference proceedings of Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM).
Agarwal, R., Datta, S., Gore, R. & Natrajan, M. (2021). “Women entrepreneurship in India”, a white paper released by FICCI-FLO & SPJIMR, The Economic Times. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/spjimr-ficci-flo-mumbai-release-white-paper-on-women-entrepreneurship-in-india/articleshow/81473322.cms
Datta, S. (June 2020). ‘Do we have the vision and leadership intent to enhance gender diversity?’ Sierra Horizons, an internal magazine of Sonae Sierra
Datta, S. (2017). To Have Or Not To Have A Career: A Woman’s Dilemma. Business World.
Exploring Factors Affecting Gender Inequities In Managerial Careers Of Women In India using quantitative and qualitative methods
Creating inclusive organizations through inclusive leadership: Case study approach
Women entrepreneurship: Navigating the social paradoxes – mixed method approach
Fostering self-awareness for personal development amongst MBA students: A case of pedagogical innovation
Exploring a Physical Design Framework for Leadership Development: Creating A Community of Practice Approach
Two-stage career re-integration process of returning female professionals
Organisational Behavior, Leadership, Personal Growth Labs, HRM Courses: Performance Management & Learning and Leadership Development, Diversity & Inclusion.
A lead faculty of Organization Behavior (OB), 15 sessions of 70 minutes each, in full-time and part-time MBA programmes.
Topics taught: OB-1 (Self) and OB- 2 (Team & leadership)
Average no. of students taught these subjects in a year across different cohorts: 300
Main faculty for the course on Gender Diversity & Inclusion (16 sessions of 70 minutes each) for PGDM students since 2019
Topics taught: D&I in the workplace; Towards Inclusive leadership.
Average no. of students taught per year: 50
A lead faculty for teaching HRM specialization:
Topics taught: Performance Management and Learning & Leadership Development to MBA students specializing in HRM.
Average No. of students taught per year: 5
A lead faculty for teaching leadership to participants of the Executive Management Programme
Topics taught: Managing high-performing teams, leveraging emotional intelligence, situation leadership, conflict management
Main faculty for teaching leadership development in the Family Businesses, a fast-growing MSME (Micro, Small and Medium size enterprises) sector in India during the period 2010 – 2015.
Average No. of students taught per year: 300
The main faculty for leadership development courses for women involved in family-managed business/ entrepreneurship
Average no. of participants taught per year: 35.
Designed and implemented a first-of-its-kind full-time accelerated MBA programme for qualified and experienced women who have taken a break to help them return to their corporate careers. In 2017, this programme got awarded by AACSB as ‘Innovations That Inspire’ under the category ‘Engaging a Diverse Community’ and more recently, it got the AMBA Innovation Award 2019. The programme is still running, with an average intake of 35 students per year.
This programme ran for 5 batches with an average strength of 35 participants. This was a one-year-long programme targeted at women entrepreneurs and women in family businesses. In addition to the HR & OB course, I designed and facilitated courses for developing leader identity and Roles in Family Business.
The students were scions of business families who came for an 18-month long MBA programme at SPJIMR Mumbai to prepare for joining their family business for continuity & growth. The average strength of students’ intake per year was 300. Designed HR&OB courses from the lens of general management in MSMEs. In addition, I designed and delivered specialized courses on organisation growth & development as well as intense experiential learning for leadership development to help them develop their role plan in the family business.
Adjunct Professor, SPJIMR. (September 1, 2017 – Present)
Associate Professor, SPJIMR. (November 1, 2014 – August 31, 2017)
Adjunct Faculty, SPJIMR. (September 23, 2010 – October 31, 2014)
Founding Chairperson – Post Graduate Management Programme for Women (March 15, 2016 – 2017)
Area Coordinator (People & Performance) – Centre for Family Managed Business (Oct 2010 – 2014)
Head – Learning and Leadership Development
Senior Associate
HR Head for Corporate Centre
Visiting Faculty
HR Manager
Executive Coach: 2015 – Present
Leadership & Organization Development Consultant: As an independent (2005 – Present)
Client organization: Price Water House Coopers
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., India
Participants from 12 Companies
Pidilite Industries, top management team
Pidilite Industries
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Women Leaders Programme
Pidilite IndustriesPerformance Management & Feedback, Aug 2020
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. India
16 participants from 7 Companies
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (Women Leaders Programme)
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (Women Leaders Programme)
Total Oil Corporation
Total Oil Corporation
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (Women Leaders Programme)
From various organisations, 30 participants
Programme Director|: Mahindra & Mahindra – Women Leaders Programme, an 18-month long women leadership development programme for 60 mid/senior level women managers of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., a large Indian conglomerate. In 2018 Mahindra Group won UN GCNI Award for Best Innovative Practices for Women at Workplace for successfully implementing a first-of-its-kind Women Leaders Programme (WLP) in collaboration with SPJIMR. Received overall feedback of 4.5/5.
Co-Program Director – Pidilite Industries, Leadership Development Programme (2020-21 & 2021-22)
Programme Director – SUN Jewels, Leadership Development Programme (2015)
Co-Programme Director – Bank of America, Leadership Development Programme (2019)
Facilitator: NOVA Women in Business (Lisbon) 2017-18. Workshop: What’s your ‘value’ proposition?
Facilitator: Connect to Success, Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD), Lisbon. Workshop: How can I Network for my Growth?” 2018
Coached more than 50 female corporate executives for leadership development (2015 – Present)
Coached more than 100 women entrepreneurs and family business owners (2012 – Present)
Coached more than 25 MBA participants (2017 – Present)
Datta, S. (2021), SPJIMR & FICCI-FLO Mumbai release white paper on ‘Women Entrepreneurship in India’
https://m.economictimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/spjimr-ficci-flo-mumbai-release-white-paper-on-women-entrepreneurship-in-india/amp_articleshow/81473322.cms
Datta, S., Women Entrepreneurship In India – A Successful Paradigm Shift In Female Enterprise https://thestateofwomen.com/women-entrepreneurship-in-india-a-successful-paradigm-shift-in-female-enterprise/
Datta, S. (2016), Mahindra Group to turn employees into leaders with Women Leaders Programme http://www.forbesindia.com/article/special/mahindra-group-to-turn-employees-into-leaders-with-women-leaders-program/44245/1
Datta, S. (2017), To Have Or Not To Have A Career: A Woman’s Dilemma
http://businessworld.in/article/To-Have-Or-Not-To-Have-A-Career-A-Woman-s-Dilemma/15-07-2017-122163/
Reviewed the Manuscript JOBR-D-20-04804 (2021) entitled: ‘Damned If She Does, Damned If She Doesn’t: The Interactive Effects of Gender and Agreeableness on Performance Evaluation’. For Journal of Business Research
Reviewed the Manuscript JGBC-D-20-00029 (2020) entitled ‘The influence of entrepreneurial passion in the relationship between creativity and entrepreneurial intention’, For the International Journal of Global Business and Competitiveness
Reviewed papers for EURAM Annual Meeting 2017, 2019, 2020, and for AOM Annual Meeting 2016, 2019
Co-Founder and Vice President: Bhoomi-Portugal – Indian Cultural & Welfare Association, Lisbon
Lead at CARUNA-CPLO Hunger Helpline for helping people in hunger distress and those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in India
Member of Research Committee of International Coaching Federation, Portugal
Member, Academy of Management (2008 – Present)
Member, European Academy of Management (2017 – Present)
Member, American Psychological Association (2015 – Present)
Member, International Coaching Federation, Portugal (2018 – Present). PCC with ICF accreditation since 2015.
Member, NHRDN, India. (2003 – Present)
Certified Integral Coach of New Ventures West, USA and ICF accredited Professional Certified Coach
Certified MBTI, Saville, EQi 2.0, NLP, and Enneagram Practitioner
Pursuing Postdoctoral research from CIEG, ISCSP, University of Lisbon
