 |
| Prof. Arqum Mateen |
- What suggestions do you have for the research scholars who aspire to publish in A * Journals?
Sidhartha S. Padhi: I strongly believe in two personal traits.
Patience and a never give up attitude. Because in publishing, a normal
review would take one to two years, and even up to four years for
approval or rejection in an A category or A* journal. So I would
suggest to work, work and work till the last moment, and be genuine.
Let’s call it ‘Beat the Odds’ attitude. But if you want to publish on a fast
track process, one needs to look at the number of volumes and number of
issues of that journal. For example EJOR has 54 issues, so is the case
with IJPR. But in publishing, be genuine so much that even your failures
are reported with a footnote as that increases the credibility of your
research. It is also good to present the research concepts / ideas in as
many conferences and seminars so as to get multi-varied perspectives
and viewpoints. More importantly, try to understand the scope of
journals. Every journal has a scope and objective. So try to frame and
draft research papers meeting these scope and objectives.
Another thing is that every research must come with a storyline.
Then try to fit all variables or characters just as we script a movie.
Your role of a researcher is that of a script writer and a director who
develops a realistic theme enacted by talented actors (variables). Then
identify the variables that need to be stretched upon. So if the
script is presented in a conference, it is easy to clean up, refine and
report from the feedback of the reviewers, as the comments from the
experts become the first hand review for your paper. This therefore
needs to be reported as a footnote as it increases your papers
credibility. Once it is so documented, no one else can claim the
originality of your idea. It also minimizes the possibility of others
copying your idea. Therefore getting an understanding of the review
process is very important. Whichever be the journal, the reviewer
comments are very significant in clarifying and evolving research
clarity. Here we leverage on the collective wisdom, and then create our
research impact with clarity. Such clarity comes from the reviewer’s
comments and editors. Knowledge wise input, and the character and
structural inputs also benefit in refining your paper.
It is also challenging to publish single handedly in A* journals. So
network and develop a good pool of researchers who can contribute. It
is not about increasing the number of co- authors. Because there are
journals which asks for the percentage contributions by each author.
Therefore network with people who can factually contribute to your
research efforts. And these disclosures are also to be made by the
authors themselves as it augments your genuineness. To make a paper
further valid, every researcher must write two aspects in minimum of
thousand words. 1. The academic contribution and 2. The practitioner point of view. This brings in the authenticity and the
conviction of the researcher, as the absence of these would make the
paper of no use for either. And how do we finally analyse the relevance
of your research? It is eventually through the number of references
and citations that you get after publishing, which reflects in the
H-index and the I-index.
Arqum Mateen: Considering the multi-disciplinary nature
evolution of the area, I would suggest to keep tab on not only top-rated
OM journals, but also those related to one’s area of research and/or
interest. There will of course be overlaps, and each journal has its
own language, intended audience and issues of debate. Understanding all
this is extremely crucial, especially from a publishing viewpoint. Most
importantly, there is no substitute for extensive reading of both
academic and practitioner publications. As we start reading more and
more, we start to get more ideas. Coupled with diligent work, all this
would definitely bear fruit sooner than later. In summary, based on my
limited exposure and understanding I would say (a) Read extensively, (b)
Develop core competencies, and (c) Have tenacity to make up with your
failures. One must be prepared for repeated rejections, and must have
the motivation to keep improving.
- Now let’s talk of something different. What according to you is the future of research in Operations Management in India?
Sidhartha S. Padhi: Empirical researches with both scientific
and practitioner utility that contributes to existing literature and
practice has tremendous value as per the changing trends seen in OM
research.
Arqum Mateen: I find huge potential for research on the impact
of human behavior on operations management. For example of motivational
aspects, reward systems, knowledge acquisition etc., are now being
actively investigated by OM researchers. Behavioral OM is indeed
emerging as one of the defining trends of our area. Other merging areas
include humanitarian logistics, social OM and risk management. One fascinating thing is that much of this emerging literature in OM is
now incorporating multi-disciplinary inputs. This is making the research
process all the more challenging, and at the same time more interesting
and illuminating. Another thing positive happening is that people who were doing
research abroad and who have been exposed to cutting edge research are
coming back to work in India. They have made an important contribution
in enriching the research culture back at home. The ecosystem they have
developed along with the local researchers is a positive change for
quality research initiatives. With this there is also an air of healthy
competition and a ‘can do’ attitude that is developing among peers.
More people are therefore getting confidence in pursuing research and
hopefully we will also be contributing to the cutting edge of OM and
management research at a global level.
- What are the pros and cons of research in Operations Management discipline in India? Do you think OM has gained prominence in research and academic journals?
Sidhartha S. Padhi: We have this habit of chasing the
possible. But in research, we need to chase the impossible, the
unexplored. In India we still lack quality resources and its
accessibility for research. Library and online resources aren’t
matured, so are the software’s used for data analysis. And above all,
availability of qualified expertise in this domain is less as compared
to other disciplines. And most management researches are closed chamber
research. But in OM we need to identify real life problems to link
with the reality. These limitations itself should become a con as there
are humungous possibilities still to develop, explore and experiment. I
would suggest not keeping switching interests in research. Be specific
and focused to stay hungry and stay foolish.
Arqum Mateen: There is a huge gulf between industry and
academia, especially in the Indian context. Practitioners sometimes
think that academic studies are not particularly relevant for them. At
the same time academicians often complain of access to data and key
resource persons from industries who are willing to contribute to the
research process. I have experienced some of these problems first hand.
Fortunately, things have definitely improved and I hope that the future
shall be bright for management researchers.
- What are the possibilities of inter-disciplinary research in your subject domain of research? Have you ever explored it? Cite a few examples.
Sidhartha S. Padhi: I feel almost all disciplines have
reached a point of saturation. Now it is the time to explore the
interrelationship and analogy across the disciplines. I normally select
co-authors from other disciplines and extend research to delve into such
inter-relationships.
Arqum Mateen: I don’t want to restrict myself to some rigid,
albeit misinformed, boundaries of OM as a discipline. No discipline
should be compartmentalized; it restricts understanding and does not
lead to comprehensive and integrated learning. OM as a discipline is all
about optimization of resources and making tomorrow better than today.
And this is relevant in every management discipline.
What is interesting about this interdisciplinary approach is that it
keeps me fresh and on my toes. And there is always an opportunity to
learn from people of other disciplines which in turn is a mutually
beneficial exercise. Just to cite an example, in one of our projects we
are trying to explore how supply chain networks can learn from one
another across multiple tiers. We are trying to integrate literature
from supply chain management, organizational learning, network theory
and human resource management.
- What are your research plans for the next 5 years? / What do you think are major directions of future research in OM?
Sidhartha S. Padhi: I would like to shift focus towards theory
based research. Challenge existing theories, explore and experiment the
applicability and synergy of foreign theories and concepts in Indian
context.
Arqum Mateen: As mentioned earlier, my current research
projects include those related to supply chain coordination, sponsored
search marketing, capability development in networks, and organizational
learning.
- Tell us something about how you keep your free time engaged?
Sidhartha S. Padhi: I am presently writing a book that would
make the OM core concepts simpler and easy to digest for a layperson.
Also I am a technology freak, and I co spend time and money in getting
updated by gathering all new software’s for data analysis. In a way I
must say that I am biased towards technology and methodology. Whatever I
can acquire or learn from new methodologies that make my research
relevant and updated, I try to own it. I also try to integrate totally
unrelated methodologies in research. This at times has also resulted in
couple of rejections to my paper as the reviewer fails to understand
the interconnections. However I still continue my passion of doing
experiments with new methodologies and data analysis tools.
Arqum Mateen: I try to read as much as possible in diverse
areas, not necessarily related to management. This often takes a major
chunk of my time. Besides these, I play a variety of computer games. I
am also a passionate football fan, so try to watch as many matches as I
can, whenever I get some time.
- One Last question. What will be your advice to young research scholars who are willing and aspire to take up research in OM?
Sidhartha S. Padhi: Well I would like to put this in bullet
points. 1. Respect others research. Even if it sounds mean, I normally
go with the state of mind that we could learn something new and find
scope for improvement from someone else’s odd thinking. So appreciate
every research effort 2. Refine and retune your conventional wisdom
through asking critical and challenging questions in your domain. Try
not being a master of all, but one – Focus and specialize. 3. Have an
in-depth knowledge in the area you specialized. Then network – join
hands with people from other disciplines. 4. Look at the possibilities
of inter disciplinary and intra disciplinary topics of contemporary
relevance. 5. And above all, never settle. Never lose heart till the
last minute. Because research is never an overnight assignment. It’s
like a KAIZEN – a process of continuous improvement and discovery.
Arqum Mateen: I would suggest to (a) always stay abreast of
the latest developments in the field, (b) keep writing and attempt to
publish it in good journal quality journals, (c) never lose heart at a
rejection. As an editor of a top quality journal once said at a seminar I
attended, “If you are not getting rejected, perhaps you are not aiming
high enough”, and (d) don’t wait for a moon shot publication. Keep
writing and it shall come!
- There is a saying ‘shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars’. Perhaps even the A*’s. Getting inspired from you both, hope more researchers will come forward and take the research forward in Operations Management. I thank both of you for your share of time and wealth of knowledge and experience; and wish a bigger, better and brighter future for all your research and teaching endeavors. Thanks once again.
as updated in IIMK research blog http://researchblog.iimk.ac.in/?p=481 as on 03-08-2015
No comments:
Post a Comment