Portrait of Professor Ajay Bhalla

Professor Ajay Bhalla

Professor of Family Business and Innovation

Bayes Business School, Faculty of Management

Contact

Visit Ajay Bhalla

Room BR4079, Bunhill Row

Postal address

Bayes Business School
106 Bunhill Row
London
EC1Y 8TZ
United Kingdom

About

Overview

Ajay Bhalla is a Professor of Family Business and Innovation at Bayes Business School (formerly Cass). Since joining Bayes in 2001, his research and teaching has focused on leadership, succession and governance in family businesses, employee owned businesses, and digital transformation and innovation.

He is passionate about helping boards and executives discover (a) why resilience is vital (b) the challenges they face in current times and (c) how they can prepare better for tomorrow by nurturing capabilities they need to build lasting businesses.

Since 2018, he has also served as a Board Trustee at The Institute for Family Business (IFB) Research foundation. The foundation aims to support strong and thriving UK family business sector.

He is the co-author of Amazon Best-seller: "The Resilient Decision-Maker: Navigating Challenges in Business and Life" published by Lioncrest Publishing.

Winner of several teaching and research awards he has also won the most prestigious academic award for producing impactful managerial research at the 73rd Annual Academy of Management.

Working with research team involving Professor Joseph Lampel, Dr. Aneesh Banerjee and Dr. Pushkar Jha, he has helped shape UK government’s policy on employee ownership. The impact of policy shaping work has resulted in several reports from 2010 to 2018 including one commissioned by UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The research has been recognised as one of the seminal impact studies by REF in UK. This evidence base played an important role in the launch of a new UK government policy to encourage growth in the employee ownership sector and greater diversity of business models in the UK economy, including the injection of £75M annually to support transition to employee ownership.

In 2017, the research team partnered with John Lewis Partnership and the Employee Ownership Associate to launch 'The Ownership Effect Inquiry' an independent panel of UK business leaders and industry experts came together to hear and examine evidence from 100+ employee owned businesses and business adviser.

The findings and recommendations were launched in the Ownership Dividend report on June 27 2018.

http://theownershipeffect.co.uk

The research team has produced several policy shaping reports:

(1) The Ownership Effect: Global Literature Review

(2) The Ownership Effect Inquiry: Final Evidence Report

(3) The final report: The Ownership Dividend Report was launched on June 27 2018 at Institute of Directors. This stream of work has revealed new evidence that there is a significant and valuable Ownership Dividend to be gained from having more employee ownership in the UK economy.

In addition to policy defining work, Professor Bhalla regularly works with family businesses to help them develop resilience at family and business level. He has worked closely with Institute for Family Business (IFB) and several multi-generational family businesses such as Wates Group , William Jackson Food Group , Bibby Line Group among several others to produce series of case studies exploring what makes family businesses resilient.

His research has been published in Academy of Management Perspectives, Strategic Organization, R&D Management, Journal of World Business, Journal of Operations Management, Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Small Business Economics, International Small Business Journal and several other journals.

He is regularly invited to comment for BBC, Bloomberg and several other media channels. He has published in Financial Times, The Times and his work has been cited widely in other media outlets such as The Economist, The Guardian etc.

Qualifications

  • B.Comm, Punjab University, India
  • MBA, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
  • PhD, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
  • International Teachers Program, Stockholm School of Economics, Stockholm, Sweden

Employment

  • Board Trustee, Institute for Family Business (IFB) Research Foundation, Aug 2018 – present

Visiting appointments

  • Visiting Scholar, Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, INDIA, 2009 – 2010

Awards

  • Charted Management Institute (CMI) (2014) Management Articles of the Year
    The Charted Management Institution (CMI) - charted professional body aimed at promoting highest standards in management excellence in UK has 90,000 members released the five best management articles of 2013. CMI launched Management Articles of the Year in 2011 to bring the best research on management topics, which has made substantial impact.

    Cass Professors Joseph Lampel and Ajay Bhalla with Dr Pushkar Jha from Northumbria University were one of the 5 winners of the CMI management articles of the year 2013. The articles entered into the CMI competition are reviewed and rated online by CMI’s membership for their usefulness to practicing managers.

    Their contribution was recognized at the annual awards ceremony held at British Library on February 3rd 2014. The article was the runner-up in the overall management of the year article category.

    Their paper “Test-Driving the Future: How Design Competitions are Changing the Future of Innovation” published in Academy of Management Perspectives, provides a comprehensive update on the rapid development of design competitions to spur innovation is an important contribution to both public and private domains.
  • 73rd Annual Academy of Management (2013) Winner of the distinguished best paper award
    Winner of the distinguished best paper award at 73rd Annual Academy of Management conference at Orlando, USA.

    The prestigious award was conferred for (a) advancing understanding of issues that are relevant to managers and executives, and (b) demonstrating the utility of ideas grounded in theory.

    The award was for our research paper published in Academy of Management Perspectives in 2012 titled: 'Test Driving the Future: How Design Competitions are changing Innovation'.

Languages

Hindi.

Expertise

Primary topics

  • Family Businesses
  • Innovation & Creativity
  • Strategic Management

Additional topics

  • Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management
  • Technology Management

Industries

  • financial services
  • information technology
  • management consulting
  • retailing

Geographic Areas

  • Asia - Southeast
  • Europe
  • Middle East

Research

Research topics

Indian Family Business and Entrepreneurship

Employee-Owned Businesses and Business Performance

Global Outsourcing Strategy

Organization Resilience

What makes organizations last? What are the characteristics of Resilient Leaders and Resilient Teams? How is ownership linked to resilience? What makes a Resilient Organization culture?

Family Enterprise Longevity

What are the characteristics of lasting family businesses? How do they handle disruption? How do they place next generation at the centre of longevity? How do family enterprises create value?

Research students

Constance Qin

Attendance: Sep 2020 – present, full-time

Thesis title: Family Business

Role: 1st Supervisor

Aneesh Banerjee

Attendance: Sep 2011 – Jul 2015, full-time

Thesis title: How to choose what to do? Essays on adoption of organization routines

Role: 1st Supervisor

Joost Rietveld

Attendance: Oct 2010 – present, full-time

Thesis title: Learning processes in the digital games industry

Role: 2nd Supervisor

Chatmaporn Tokaranyaset

Attendance: Sep 2008 – Mar 2014, full-time

Thesis title: Value Chains in Fashion Industry

Role: 2nd Supervisor

Whysni Basuki

Attendance: Aug 2001 – Aug 2009, part-time

Thesis title: Gender differences in entrepreneurship in a transition context: The Case of Family Firms

Role: 2nd Supervisor

Publications

  1. Lampel, J., Banerjee, A. and Bhalla, A. (2019). The Resilient Decision-Maker. Lioncrest Publishing. ISBN 978-1-5445-0413-1.

Chapters (10)

  1. Lampel, J., Banerjee, A. and Bhalla, A. (2020). By the People, for the People: Emergence and Spread of the ‘Unconference’ as New Temporary Organisational Form. Tensions and paradoxes in temporary organizing (pp. 61–78). Emerald Publishing Limited.
  2. Bhalla, A., Lampel, J. and Vishnu, K. (2013). Wipro Consulting Services in 2008: building an optimal global configuration in business and IT consulting industry. In Lampel, J., Mintzberg, H., Quinn, J. and Ghoshal, S. (Eds.), The Strategy Process Concepts, Contexts, Cases Pearson Education. ISBN 978-0-273-65120-8.
  3. Bhalla, A. and Lampel, J. (2013). Tiscali UK: The rocky road to offshoring. In Lampel, J., Mintzberg, H., Quinn, J. and Ghoshal, S. (Eds.), The Strategy Process Concepts, Contexts, Cases Pearson/Education. ISBN 978-0-273-71628-0.
  4. Lampel, , Joseph, and Bhalla, A. (2012). Strategic Offshoring at Tiscali. In Dyson, B.F., Loveday, M.S. and Gee, M.G. (Eds.), FT Prentice Hall.
  5. Bhalla, A. (2008). Harnessing Knowledge Capabilities in Emerging Markets: Offshoring and the Experience of Mac & Company. In Satyendra Singh, (Ed.), Business Practices in Emerging and Re-Emerging Markets Palgrave MacMillan.
  6. Singh, S. (2008). Business Practices in Emerging and Re-Emerging Markets. Palgrave Macmillan US. ISBN 978-1-349-53691-7.
  7. Bhalla, A. (2008). Two Case Studies. Business Practices in Emerging and Re-Emerging Markets (pp. 221–230). Palgrave Macmillan US. ISBN 978-1-349-53691-7.
  8. Bhalla, A., Watkins, D. and Henderson, S. (2004). The Origins and Lessons of Entrepreneurial Achievement:a Multi-Paradigm Perspective via the Case Method. In Fayolle, A., Kyr�, P. and Ulijn, J. (Eds.), Entrepreneurship Research in Europe: Outcomes and Perspectives Cheltenham, Edward Elgar.
  9. Bhalla, A., Watkins, D. and Henderson, S. (2004). A Case Based Approach to Study Strategic Attributes of a Family Firm. In Astrachan, J.H. and Poutziouris, P. (Eds.), Family Business Case Annual Kennesaw, Ga: Cox Family Enterprise Center. ISBN 0-9753893-0-0.
  10. Bhalla, A., Watkins, D. and Henderson, S. (2002). A test of the appropriateness of alternative strategic management paradigms in the context of high growth ethnic and non-ethnic family firms. In Füglistaller, U., Pleitner, H.J., Volery, T. and Weber, W. (Eds.), Radical Change in the world-will SMEs soar or crash? (pp. 555–572). Swiss Research Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship. ISBN 978-3-906541-18-1.

Conference papers and proceedings (34)

  1. Banerjee, A., Lampel, J. and Bhalla, A. (2017). Problematizing Problmistic Search: An Experimental Study of Search Heterogeneity. doi:10.5465/ambpp.2017.15216abstract
  2. Banerjee, A., Lampel, J. and Bhalla, A. (2017). Employee Ownership Schemes as Resilience Signals During Economic Crisis and Recovery. doi:10.5465/ambpp.2017.15243abstract
  3. Banerjee, , Bhalla, A. and Lampel, J. (2014). Choosing which battles to fight: An attention-based argument for the diffusion of a competitive action. 34th Strategic Management Society (SMS) Annual International Conference 20-23 September, Madrid, Spain.
  4. Banerjee, A., Lampel, J. and Bhalla, A. (2014). The Evolution of Absorptive Capacity Routines in Corporate R&D Subsidiaries. doi:10.5465/ambpp.2014.16899abstract
  5. Banerjee, A., Lampel, J. and Bhalla, A. (2014). "“There’s got to be a better way”: Aspirations, constraints, and the discovery of new routines". doi:10.5465/ambpp.2014.16786abstract
  6. Bhalla, , Ajay, and Lampel, J. (2011). From here on there is no turning back captain: Offshoring as an Event. Researching Events Frie Universitat, Berlin.
  7. Bhalla, A. (2011). Teaching with Cases on Family Business. Third Asian Invitational Conference on Family Business Indian School of Business, Hyderabad.
  8. Bhalla, A. (2011). Why Trusteeship Is A Greater Asset Than Corporate Reputation? KEY NOTE & PANEL DEBATE-Thought Leaders of the future and the rise of the 'emerging' markets Confederation of British Industry (CBI) London.
  9. Chittoor, , Raveendra, , Bhalla, A., Ray, S. and Ramachandran, K. (2011). Family Business Groups and Corporate Entrepreneurship:Evidence from Indian Firms. Academy of Management San Antonio, USA.
  10. Bhalla, A., Lampel, J. and Ramachandran, K. (2010). Corporate Venturing in Indian Family Firms. SMS Annual International Conference 12-15 September, Rome.
  11. Bhalla, A. (2010). How Strategic Are You About Your Family's Reputation? Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) India.
  12. Bhalla, , Ajay, and Lampel, J. (2010). Building Corporate Venture Engine in Indian Family Firms. INDIAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, HYDERABAD.
  13. Lampel, J. and Pushkar Jha, A.B. (2012). Test-Driving the Future: How Design Competitions are Empowering Innovation. Tilburg Conference on Innovation 2010, Tilburg, Netherlands.
  14. Lampel, J., Bhalla, A. and Jha, P. (2009). Show and Play: Trade Fairs and Challenge Competitions. 3rd Annual Copenhagen Conference on Partnerships 22-23 October, Copenhagen Business School, Copenhagen, Denmark.
  15. Bhalla, , Ajay, and Lampel, J. (2009). Managing the impact of internationalisation on the activity system in a networked organisation. European Group for Organisational Studies (EGOS) Barcelona.
  16. Bhalla, A. (2009). Nuturing Employee Leadership and Engagement: The Case of Employee Owned Businesses. KEY NOTE: Trends in Strategic Talent Management INDIAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, HYDERABAD, INDIA.
  17. Terjesen, S. and Bhalla, A. (2009). Venturing Offshore: The Internationalization of Entrepreneurial Firms' Back Office. Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference Babson Park, MA, USA.
  18. Bhalla, A., Lampel, J. and Jha, P. (2008). Intellectual Property Rights and Industry Evolution: The Case of the Recorded Music Industry. DIME International Conference: The Creative Industries and Intellectual Property: May, London.
  19. Bhalla, A. and Lampel, J. (2008). Impact of Offshoring on the Evolution of Organizational configurations. European Group for Organisational Studies, (Amsterdam, Netherlands, July 10-12 2008) Amsterdm, Netherlands.
  20. Bhalla, A. (2008). Offshoring 3.0: Energizing Innovation to Outperform (Keynote Speech). KEYNOTE: Exploring Outsourcing Opportunities The Price Waterhouse Coopers LLP, London.
  21. Bhalla, , Ajay, and Lampel, J. (2008). Offshoring and Firm Activity System. Academy of Management Anaheim, California, USA.
  22. Bhalla, , Ajay, and Lampel, J. (2008). Offshoring and Firm Activity System. Offshoring and Outsourcing: The Organizational and Geographical Relocation of High Value Company Functions, SDA Bocconi School of Management, April 23-24, 2008 Milan, Italy.
  23. Bhalla, A. (2008). Unlocking Your Growth = {In India + From India} - Keynote. KEYNOTE:Doing Business in India Cass Business School, London.
  24. Lampel, J., Jha, P. and Bhalla, A. (2008). The Failings of Simplicity: Evidence from Design Contests. Academy of Management, August 8-13, 2008 - Anaheim, California..
  25. Lampel, J. and Bhalla, A. (2007). More IT offshoring does not matter: Selecting Drivers and Models in Global 500 firms. First Annual Research Conference on Offshoring Fuqua School of Business, Duke University, USA.
  26. Bhalla, A. and Lampel, J. (2007). Embracing Realism and Structuring Choices in Global Offshoring. European Group of Organisation Studies (EGOS) Vienna.
  27. Henderson, S. and Bhalla, A. (2006). Becoming Misrepresentations in Strategy and Time. Academy of Management Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
  28. Bhalla, , Ajay, and Lampel, J. (2006). Communities of Practice and the Discourse of Knowledge Sharing. Organization,Learning, Knowledge and Capabilities Warwick Business School, Warwick, UK.
  29. Bhalla, A. and Henderson, S. (2006). Exploring Alternative Strategy Paradigms in Family Firms. Academy of Management Atlanta.
  30. Lampel, J. and Bhalla, A. (2005). Gift giving in online community: The role of status seeking. 21st European Group of Organisation Studies (EGOS) Colloquium Berlin.
  31. Bhalla, A. and Holtham, C. (2004). The organizational jigsaw: opportunities for collaborative learning. EGOS Workshop, Drawing on Organization Studies to Design, Manage and Organize Education Ljubjlana, Slovenia, July 2004.
  32. Henderson, S., Watkins, D. and Bhalla, A. (2003). Deepening and Broadening the Theoretical Base of Entrepreneurship Research. Academy of Management Seattle.
  33. Bhalla, A. (1999). The Impact of Ethnicity on Entrepreneurial Family Businesses: Do Strategic Management Concepts Assist an Understanding? Annual Babson Entrepreneurship Conference. Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina, USA..
  34. Bhalla, A. (1999). The Influence of Ethnicity on Strategy in Family Businesses. Annual Conference 'Research in Entrepreneurship' E.M.Lyon, France, November..

Journal articles (26)

  1. Lampel, J., Banerjee, A. and Bhalla, A. (2020). Emergence and Spread of ‘Unconferences’ as a New Temporary Organizational Form. Research in the Sociology of Organizations, 67, pp. 61–78. doi:10.1108/S0733-558X20200000067008.
  2. Grant, D., Jha, P.P., Wanjiru, R. and Bhalla, A. (2020). Evolving willingness and ability interfaces: An innovation led transformation journey. International Journal of Innovation Studies, 4(3), pp. 69–75. doi:10.1016/j.ijis.2020.06.001.

    [publisher’s website]

  3. Banerjee, A., Lampel, J. and Bhalla, A. (2020). A question of (mis)alignment: innovation mandates and absorptive capacity routines. R&D Management, 50(2), pp. 227–238. doi:10.1111/radm.12393.

    [publisher’s website]

  4. Banerjee, A., Lampel, J. and Bhalla, A. (2019). Two cheers for diversity: An experimental study of micro-level heterogeneity in problemistic search. Strategic Organization, 17(4), pp. 450–469. doi:10.1177/1476127018815467.

    [publisher’s website]

  5. Bhalla, A. and Banerjee, A. (2019). Life after 100? A Leader’s Guide to Resilient Family Businesses. .

    [publisher’s website]

  6. Jha, P.P. and Bhalla, A. (2018). Life of a PAI: Mediation by willingness and ability for beneficiary community engagement. World Development Perspectives, 9, pp. 27–34. doi:10.1016/j.wdp.2018.04.004.

    [publisher’s website]

  7. Lampel, J., Bhalla, A. and Ramachandran, K. (2017). Family values and inter-institutional governance of strategic decision making in Indian family firms. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 34(4), pp. 901–930. doi:10.1007/s10490-017-9509-0.

    [publisher’s website]

  8. Lampel, J., Bhalla, A. and Jha, P.P. (2014). Does governance confer organisational resilience? Evidence from UK employee owned businesses. European Management Journal, 32(1), pp. 66–72. doi:10.1016/j.emj.2013.06.009.
  9. Bhalla, A. and Terjesen, S. (2013). Cannot make do without you: Outsourcing by knowledge-intensive new firms in supplier networks. Industrial Marketing Management, 42(2), pp. 166–179. doi:10.1016/j.indmarman.2012.12.005.
  10. Bhalla, A., Lampel, J. and Ramachandran, K. (2012). The Indian Family Business: Striking a Path Between Tradition and Modernity. The Times.

    [publisher’s website]

  11. Bhalla, A., Lampel, J. and Larpin, E. (2012). The case study: Cegedim
    Post-merger acquisitions and the right signals to clients and staff.     Financial Times.
  12. Bhalla, A., Jha, P. and Lampel, J. (2012). The Employee Owned Business Model During Growth and Adversity: How Well Does it Hold Up? European Business Review, (July-August).
  13. Bhalla, A. and Lampel, J. (2012). Case study: Growth with values. Financial Times.
  14. Lampel, J., Jha, P. and Bhalla, A. (2012). Test-Driving the Future: How Design Competitions are Changing Innovation. Academy of Management Perspectives, 26(2), pp. 71–85. doi:10.5465/amp.2010.0068.
  15. Lampel, J. and Bhalla, A. (2011). Living with offshoring: The impact of offshoring on the evolution of organizational configurations. Journal of World Business, 46(3), pp. 346–358. doi:10.1016/j.jwb.2010.07.007.
  16. Lampel, J., Bhalla, A. and Vishnu, K. (2010). Wipro consulting Services: Building an Effective Global Configuration in Business and IT Consulting Industry. ASIAN CASE RESEARCH JOURNAL, 14(1), pp. 1–30. doi:10.1142/S0218927510001349.
  17. Lampel, J., Bhalla, A. and Vishnu, K. (2010). Wipro Consulting Services: Building an Effective Global Configuration in Business and IT Consulting Industry. Asia Case Research Journal, 14.
  18. Burdon, S., Chelliah, J. and Bhalla, A. (2009). Structuring enduring strategic alliances: the case of Shell Australia and Transfield Services. Journal of Business Strategy, 30(4), pp. 42–51. doi:10.1108/02756660910972640.

    [publisher’s website]

  19. Bhalla, A., Lampel, J., Henderson, S. and Watkins, D. (2009). Exploring alternative strategic management paradigms in high-growth ethnic and non-ethnic family firms. SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMICS, 32(1), pp. 77–94. doi:10.1007/s11187-007-9064-z.
  20. Lampel, J. and Bhalla, A. (2008). Embracing realism and recognizing choice in IT offshoring initiatives. Business Horizons, 51(5), pp. 429–440. doi:10.1016/j.bushor.2008.03.007.

    [publisher’s website]

  21. Bhalla, A., Sodhi, M.S. and Son, B.-.G. (2008). Is more IT offshoring better? Journal of Operations Management, 26(2), pp. 322–335. doi:10.1016/j.jom.2007.02.005.

    [publisher’s website]

  22. Stace, D. and Bhalla, A. (2008). Sustaining the ‘connective tissue’ of customer relationships. Strategic Change, 17(3-4), pp. 57–68. doi:10.1002/jsc.816.

    [publisher’s website]

  23. Lampel, J. and Bhalla, A. (2007). Let's get natural. Management Decision, 45(7), pp. 1069–1082. doi:10.1108/00251740710773916.

    [publisher’s website]

  24. Lampel, J. and Bhalla, A. (2007). The role of status seeking in online communities: Giving the gift of experience. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 12(2), pp. 434–455. doi:10.1111/j.1083-6101.2007.00332.x.
  25. Bhalla, A., Henderson, S. and Watkins, D. (2006). A multiparadigmatic perspective of strategy: A case study of an ethnic family firm. International Small Business Journal, 24(5), pp. 515–537. doi:10.1177/0266242606067276.
  26. Burdon, S. and Bhalla, A. (2005). Lessons from the Untold Success Story:. European Management Journal, 23(5), pp. 576–582. doi:10.1016/j.emj.2005.09.012.

    [publisher’s website]

Reports (12)

  1. Lampel, J., Banerjee, A. and Bhalla, A. (2018). Ownership Effect Inquiry: Evidence Report..
  2. Lampel, J., Banerjee, A. and Bhalla, A. (2017). The Ownership Effect: What Does the Evidence Tell Us. London.
  3. Lampel, J., Banerjee, A. and Bhalla, A. (2017). Ownership Effect Inquiry: Evidence Synthesis Report..
  4. Bhalla, A., Lampel, J., Chordia, M. and Jha, P.P. (2014). DOES EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP CONFER LONG-TERM RESILIENCE? A follow up study to the Report: Model Growth – Do Employee Owned Businesses Provide sustainable advantage..
  5. Bhalla, A., Lampel, J., Larpin, E., Gordon, G. and Perry, S. (2014). Bibby Line Group: Regenerating a Family Business..
  6. Bhalla, A. (2014). William Jackson Food Group: Regenerating a Family Business through Family Governance..
  7. Bhalla, A., Lampel, J. and Jha, P. (2012). The Employee Ownership Advantage: Benefits and Consequences. London: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
  8. Lampel, J., Ajay Bhalla, P.J. and Bhalla, A. (2010). Model Growth: Do Employee-Owned Businesses deliver sustainable performance? London.
  9. Lampel, J., Ajay Bhalla, P.J. and Bhalla, A. (2009). Coming of Age: Challenge Competitions & Their Role in Stimulating Innovation. London.
  10. Bhalla, A., Joseph Lampel, K.V. and Vishnu, K. (2009). Redefining the Consulting DNA: Wipro Consulting Services. Wipro Technologies.
  11. Lampel, J., Bhalla, A. and Jha, P. (2007). The BASCAP Global Survey on Counterfeiting and Piracy and the Survey Findings Report. ICC BASCAP.
  12. Lampel, J., Bhalla, A. and Jha, P. (2006). Back to the Digital Future: The Role of Copyrights in Sustaining Creativity and Diversity in the Music Industry. London.

Education

Course Directorship

- 2005 - 2006, Film Business Academy, Assistance Director
- 2005 -2007, Masters in Management, Admissions Tutor

Professional activities

Consultancy (5)

  1. Department of Business Innovation and Skills (Public Sector) (Feb – Apr 2012)
  2. Barclays (Private Sector) (Nov 2006 – present)
  3. BASCAP (International Chamber of Commerce) (Private Sector) (Mar 2006 – Jan 2007)
  4. Ernst & Young (Private Sector) (Mar 2006 – present)
  5. EMI Music (Private Sector) (Jan – Apr 2006)

Editorial activity (10)

  1. Family Business Review, Referee, 2010 – present.
  2. Industry and Innovation, Referee, 2009.
  3. Small Business Economics, Referee, 2009 – present.
  4. Journal of Computer Mediated Communication, Referee, 2008 – present.
  5. International Journal of Business and Emerging Markets, Member of Editorial Board, 2007 – 2010.
  6. Journal of Management Studies, Referee, 2007.
  7. Management Online Review, Member of Editorial Board, 2007 – present.
  8. Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Referee, 2007 – present.
  9. Journal of Operations Management, Referee, 2006.
  10. ESRC, Referee, 2003 – present.

Events/conferences (36)

  1. Employee Ownership in 21st Century Britain. (Seminar) Cass Business School, City University, London (2014). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Employee Ownership in 21st Century Britain
    Author: Bhalla, Ajay and Lampel J
  2. European Group of Organization Studies (EGOS). (Conference) Rotterdam, Netherlands (2014).
    Paper: DOES GOVERNANCE CONFER ORGANIZATIONAL RESILIENCE?
    Author: Lampel Joseph
    Co-authors: Ajay Bhalla, Pushkar Jha
  3. European Group of Organization Studies (EGOS). (Conference) Montreal (2013).
    Paper: An Inter-Institutional Perspective on New Venture Creation in Family Firms
    Author: Bhalla Ajay
    Co-authors: Joseph Lampel, Kavil Ramachandran
  4. 2013 Annual Employee Ownership Conference. (Conference) Birmingham (2013).
    Paper: The Benefits of Employee Ownership
    Author: Lampel Joseph
    Co-authors: Ajay Bhalla, Pushkar Jha
  5. KEY NOTE & PANEL DEBATE-Thought Leaders of the future and the rise of the ‘emerging’ markets. (Seminar) Confederation of British Industry (CBI) London (2011). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Why Trusteeship Is A Greater Asset Than Corporate Reputation?
    Author: Bhalla Ajay
  6. Third Asian Invitational Conference on Family Business. (Conference) Indian School of Business, Hyderabad (2011). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Teaching with Cases on Family Business
    Author: Bhalla Ajay
  7. Researching Events. (Conference) Frie Universitat, Berlin (2011). Invited speaker.
    Paper: From here on there is no turning back captain: Offshoring as an Event
    Author: Bhalla Ajay
    Co-authors: Joseph Lampel
  8. Academy of Management. (Conference) San Antonio, USA (2011). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Family Business Groups and Corporate Entrepreneurship:Evidence from Indian Firms
    Author: Chittoor Raveendra
    Co-authors: Ajay Bhalla, Sougata Ray, Kavil Ramachandran
  9. Strategic Management Society (SMS) Conference- International Entrepreneurship Track. (Conference) Rome (2010). Chair.
  10. KEY NOTE. (Seminar) Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), India (2010). Invited speaker.
    Paper: How Strategic Are You About Your Family's Reputation?
    Author: Bhalla Ajay
  11. Strategic Management Society (SMS) Conference. (Conference) Rome (2010). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Corporate Venturing in Indian Family Firms
    Author: Bhalla Ajay
    Co-authors: Joseph Lampel; Kavil Ramachandran
  12. Seminar. (Seminar) INDIAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, HYDERABAD (2010). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Building Corporate Venture Engine in Indian Family Firms
    Author: Bhalla Ajay
    Co-authors: Joseph Lampel
  13. KEY NOTE: Trends in Strategic Talent Management. (Seminar) INDIAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, HYDERABAD, INDIA (2009). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Nuturing Employee Leadership and Engagement: The Case of Employee Owned Businesses
    Author: Bhalla Ajay
  14. Conference. (Conference) Copenhagen Business School, Copenhagen, Denmark (2009). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Show and Play: Trade Fairs and Challenge Competitions
    Author: Lampel Joseph
    Co-authors: Ajay Bhalla and Pushkar Jha
  15. European Group for Organisational Studies (EGOS). (Conference) Barcelona (2009). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Managing the impact of internationalisation on the activity system in a networked organisation
    Author: Bhalla Ajay
    Co-authors: Barcelona
  16. Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference. (Conference) Babson Park, MA, USA (2009). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Venturing Offshore: The Internationalization of Entrepreneurial Firms' Back Office
    Author: Terjesen S.
    Co-authors: Ajay Bhalla
  17. International Conference on Marketing and Management Sciences (12/2008-9/2009). (Conference) Greece (2008). Organising Committee.
  18. 3rd Annual Conference on Cultural Production in a Global Context: the Worldwide Film Industry (11/2008-7/ 2009). (Conference) Cass Business School, London (2008). Organising Committee.
  19. KEYNOTE: Doing Business in India. (Seminar) Cass Business School, London (2008). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Unlocking Your Growth = {In India + From India}
    Author: Bhalla Ajay
  20. Exploring Outsourcing Opportunities. (Seminar) The Price Waterhouse Coopers LLP, London (2008). Invited speaker.
    Paper: KEYNOTE: Offshoring 3.0: Energizing Innovation to Outperform
    Author: Bhalla Ajay
  21. The Creative Industries and Intellectual Property: DIME International Conference. (Conference) London (2008).
    Paper: Intellectual Property Rights and Industry Evolution: The Case of the Recorded Music Industry
    Author: Joseph Lampel and Pushkar Jha
    Co-authors: Joseph Lampel and Pushkar Jha
  22. Offshoring and Outsourcing: The Organizational and Geographical Relocation of High Value Company Functions, SDA Bocconi School of Management. (Conference) Milan, Italy (2008). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Offshoring and Firm Activity System
    Author: Bhalla Ajay
    Co-authors: Joseph Lampel
  23. European Group for Organisational Studies. (Conference) Amsterdm, Netherlands (2008). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Impact of Offshoring on the Evolution of Organizational configurations
    Author: Bhalla A
    Co-authors: Joseph Lampel
  24. Academy of Management. (Conference) Anaheim, California, USA (2008).
    Paper: The Failings of Simplicity: Evidence from Design Contests
    Author: Lampel Joseph
    Co-authors: Ajay Bhalla, Pushkar Jha
  25. Academy of Management. (Conference) Anaheim, California, USA (2008).
    Paper: Offshoring and Firm Activity System
    Author: Bhalla Ajay
    Co-authors: Joseph Lampel
  26. European Group of Organisation Studies (EGOS). (Conference) Vienna (2007).
    Paper: Embracing Realism and Structuring Choices in Global Offshoring
    Author: J. Lampel
    Co-authors: J. Lampel
  27. First Annual Research Conference on Offshoring. Fuqua School of Business, Duke University, USA (2007).
    Paper: More IT offshoring does not matter: Selecting Drivers and Models in Global 500 firms
    Co-authors: Joseph Lampel
  28. Organization,Learning, Knowledge and Capabilities. (Conference) Warwick Business School, Warwick, UK (2006). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Communities of Practice and the Discourse of Knowledge Sharing
    Author: Bhalla Ajay
    Co-authors: Joseph Lampel
  29. Academy of Management. (Conference) Atlanta (2006). Invited speaker.
    Paper: Exploring Alternative Strategy Paradigms in Family Firms
    Author: Bhalla A.
    Co-authors: Steven Henderson
  30. Academy of Management. Atlanta, Georgia, USA (2006).
    Paper: Becoming Misrepresentations in Strategy and Time
    Co-authors: Steven Henderson
  31. 21st European Group of Organisation Studies (EGOS) Colloquium. Berlin (2005).
    Paper: Gift giving in online community: The role of status seeking
    Co-authors: Prof. Joseph Lampel
  32. Organizational Knowledge, Learning and Capabilities. Innsbruck, Austria (2004).
    Paper: Let's Get Natural:Communities of Practice and the Discourse of Spontaneous Sharing in Knowledge Management
    Co-authors: Professor Joseph Lampel
  33. European Group for Organization Studies (EGOS) Colloquium. Ljubljana (2004).
    Paper: The organizational jigsaw: opportunities for collaborative learning
    Co-authors: Prof. Clive Holtham
  34. Academy of Management. Seattle (2003).
    Paper: Deepening and Broadening the Theoretical Base of Entrepreneurship Research
    Co-authors: S.Henderson and D.Watkins
  35. Annual Conference 'Research in Entrepreneurship'. E.M.Lyon, France (1999).
    Paper: The Influence of Ethnicity on Strategy in Family Businesses
  36. Annual Babson Entrepreneurship Conference. Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina, USA (1999).
    Paper: The Impact of Ethnicity on Entrepreneurial Family Businesses: Do Strategic Management Concepts Assist an Understanding

Keynote lecture/speech

  1. Leadership Resilience in Challenging Times:
    Lessons for 21st Century Leaders.     Hilton Warsaw, Poland (2019). Key-note - European Business Awards

Media appearances (41)

  1. Small family jewellers face succession troubles. (2018) Financial Times (newspaper).
  2. John Lewis ups benefits spending but cuts staff bonus. (2014) Workplace Savings & Benefits.
  3. CMI: Favoured management strategy of UK businesses Ôfatally flawedÕ. (2014) Politics Home.
  4. Companies Relocate to London: Low Corporate Tax. (2013) National Center for Policy Analysis.
  5. London's low taxes, vast talent pool lure foreign corporates Read more at:. (2013) The Economic Times of India (newspaper).
  6. Google Inc's all access music launch catches Apple Inc off guard. (2013) SME Web (website).
  7. Innovator Apple under pressure. (2013) Eircom.net (website).
  8. Tesco's annual profits fallen for the first time in almost 20 years, as the UK biggest supermarket confirmed it was pulling out of the US. (2013) In 2 east Africa.net (website).
  9. bleak week as blockbusters collapses. (2013) derbyshire times (newspaper).
  10. blockbusters calls in administrators. (2013) memmedia.co.uk (website).
  11. job loss fears for North East's Blockbuster employees. (2013) nebusiness.co.uk (website).
  12. Case Study: Post-merger aquisitions. (2012) The Financial Times (newspaper).
  13. Microsoft puts faith in a new tablet, but it may merely scratch the iPad's surface. (2012) The Observer (newspaper).
  14. iphone5 - What do our experts think? (2012) www.goarticles.com (website).
  15. Facebook Borsengang - Hype und Zweifel liegen nah beisammen. (2012) www.fmm-magazin.de (website).
  16. "I'm not a billionaire": Bono says Facebook flotation hasn't made him richer than the Beatles. (2012) THE MIRROR (newspaper).
  17. Zuckerberg pockets a fortune as Facebook debuts on stock market. (2012) THE INDEPENDENT (newspaper).
  18. Murdoch ‘Back Scratching’ Shifts Blame to U.K. Politicians. (2012) BLOOMBERG BUSINESSWEEK (magazine).
  19. Nokia en perte à la fois dans les réseaux et les mobiles. (2012) LES ECHOS (newspaper).
  20. Nokia en perte a la fois dans les reseaux et les mobiles. (2012) www.lesechos.fr (website).
  21. (2012) BBC WORLD SERVICE (television).
  22. (2012) BBC NEWS (television).
  23. CBI attacks Vince Cable's plan to give investors control of executive pay. (2012) GUARDIAN (newspaper).
  24. (2012) BBC World Service TV (television).
  25. (2012) ITV NEWS (television).
  26. (2012) THE OBSERVER-Berry Bros & Rudd (newspaper).
  27. (2012) BBC World Service TV (television).
  28. (2012) BBC News Channel (television).
  29. John Lewis as a Model: The feeling is mutual. (2012) THE ECONOMIST (magazine).
  30. Importance of strategy and innovation as Kodak seeks bankruptcy protection. (2012) Bloomberg TV (television).
  31. E-commerce e social network can una raffica di acqisizoni Microsoft cambia pelle. (2012) www.repubblica.it (website).
  32. Tata cvan take a long view on succession. (2011) www.ft.com (website).
  33. Kindle versus iPad. (2011).
  34. James Murdoch backed by BSkyB board. (2011) International Herald Tribune (newspaper).
  35. ISB to host meet on family business. (2011) www.thehindubusinessline.com (website).
  36. Face of free advice lost to cyberspace. (2011) Sunday Times (newspaper).
  37. Will John Lewis rescue us all from financial meltdown? (2010) www.dailymail.co.uk (website).
  38. To be succesful: Let the employees become stakeholders. (2010) www.sohu.com (website).
  39. Mitarbeiterbeiteiligungen erhohen Leistungen und verringern Insolvenzrisiko. (2010) Finanzen (website).
  40. To be successful: Let the employees become stakeholders. (2010).
  41. Anreize fur die finanzielle beteiligung. (2010) Managere Seminare.