Jamshedpur: XLRI – Xavier School of Management and the Academy of Management (AOM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen academic collaboration, doctoral education and research engagement between the two institutions.
The MoU was signed during the inauguration of the AOM–XLRI Doctoral Colloquium 2026 on September 1. The five-day colloquium, which concluded on September 5, brought together scholars, editors, academics, practitioners and doctoral researchers from India and across the globe for intellectual exchange, mentorship and scholarly collaboration.
The partnership is aimed at expanding opportunities for doctoral scholars and researchers while strengthening global academic engagement.
The inauguration was attended by Dr (Fr) George Sebastian, S.J., Director, XLRI, Jamshedpur; Dr (Fr) Donald D’Silva, S.J., Dean – Administration and Finance; Prof Sanjay Patro, Dean – Academics; Kate Maloney, Program Director – Community Accelerator Program and Teaching, Academy of Management; Prof Johann Fortwengel, General Editor, Journal of Management Studies and Professor, King’s Business School, King’s College London; Manudev Jain, Joint Commissioner, Indian Revenue Service; Sachin Phansikar, President, Business Standard; and Prof Prashant Kumar, Convener of the AOM–XLRI Doctoral Colloquium 2026 and Associate Professor, XLRI, Jamshedpur.
Highlighting the purpose of the partnership, Kate Maloney, Program Director – Community Accelerator Program and Teaching, Academy of Management, said the Community Accelerator Program was created to support emerging scholars and help them contribute to and lead discussions in management education.
“Through this event, we are excited to bring leading editors and researchers together to help students grow their networks, develop skills and create the next great theories that shape our field,” she said.
The inaugural ceremony also witnessed the release of the Book of Abstracts and the Research Priority Document. Two books were formally launched: Context-Inspired Entrepreneurship—Cases from India by Prof Elizabeth Rose, Ashish Galande and Shreevas S., and Critical Thinking and Strategic Communication: Principles & Practice by XLRI professors Prof Rahul Kumar Shukla and Prof Sunil Kumar Sarangi.
A key highlight of the opening day was the Meet the Editors session, which brought doctoral scholars together with editors from internationally recognised management journals and provided insights into academic publishing and scholarly research.
Over the five days, the colloquium featured research presentations, editorial interactions, distinguished talks, methodological sessions and mentoring opportunities. Discussions covered areas including artificial intelligence, sustainability, digital transformation, organisational behaviour, strategy, entrepreneurship, international business and the future of work.
The programme also focused on research methodology, theory building and responsible scholarship.
Another feature was a series of panel discussions led by XLRI doctoral scholars, creating a peer-learning platform for young researchers to share perspectives and experiences on the doctoral journey, academic challenges and the changing nature of research and scholarship.
The colloquium provided doctoral scholars with opportunities to present their research, receive feedback from academics and international experts, and build academic networks.
The five-day programme concluded with a valedictory session featuring Oana Branzei, Paul MacPherson Chair in Strategic Leadership and Professor of Strategy & Sustainability at Ivey Business School, Western University, Canada, and Prof Elizabeth L. Rose, Associate Editor, Journal of International Business Studies. They reflected on the role of global scholarly communities, mentorship and collaboration in supporting emerging researchers.
Dr (Fr) Donald D’Silva, S.J., appreciated the successful conduct of the colloquium and acknowledged the efforts of the organisers, faculty members, scholars and participants.
The collaboration with the Academy of Management is expected to support deeper global engagement between the two institutions, with a focus on doctoral education, management research and international academic exchange.
