Gurus and Indian Epistemologies

Abstract

This article intertwines pedagogy and Indian epistemologies by offering the use of parables in the education of management consultants, particularly those seeking to work in India. Through the presentation of a field report in the form of parables constructed from lived-in and lived-through consultancy assignments, this article highlights the labor-intensive textile sector of India that employs approximately 35 million people. The parables are presented in a format that can be utilized to understand and unpack the complexity of India that is a far cry from the glossy images of India's expanding IT prowess. The article argues for the need to develop consultants who, in grappling with knowledge and action, can move beyond Western templates in management consulting.

Sacred activism through seva and khidmat: Contextualising management and organisations in South Asia

“…While the focus of the Western model of management is on knowledge worker, the South Asian approach may be seen as focused on the notion of wisdom worker, where wisdom is has a holistic meaning in terms of work and wider society (Pio, 2005;2007a). Where-as the western model has a narrow definition and focus on material or economic success entailing stress, competition and tension, and possibly unethical conduct, the seva based Indian approach defines success as achieving goals accompanied with harmony, well-being and happiness, not only for leaders but for team members and wider society.…”

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global trade-embodied carbon emissions

“…The latter is to sustain economic and social operation as the main goal, trying to establish a complete supply chain, where light industry and heavy industry carbon emission has a rising trend. Yet labor-intensive industries-oriented areas, especially SSAF and India ( Hilson and Ackah-Baidoo, 2011 ; Pio, 2016 ), suffer from contact limits and shorter working hours ( Fig. 3 a and b).…”