Dr. Arana Chandra
Assistant Professor of Management

My scholarly and teaching interests are primarily in the areas of Strategy, International Business and Entrepreneurship.  I have been teaching in these areas since 1992 and completed my doctorate in Strategy and International Business from Kent State University in May 2000. I have taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses which include the following:  Introduction to Management, Introduction to Marketing, Business Ethics and Social Responsibility, Market Research, Global Management, Marketing Management, Small Business Consulting, Business Capstone, Strategic Planning and Policy (MBA), International Business (MBA) and Global Entrepreneurship (MBA).

My research interests are in the areas of international business strategy in emerging markets, multinational market entry strategies, marketing standardization and entrepreneurial strategies of smaller firms. I am currently completing a book, Business Strategies for India, with co-authors Dr. John K. Ryans, Bridgestone Chair of International Business, Kent State University and Dr. Pradeep Rau, Professor and Chair of Marketing, George Washington University.

During the period 1999-2001, I served as the Director of the Mid-Ohio International Trade Assistance Center (ITAC), secured several private and state grants to fund the Center’s operations and provided consulting services, along with Dr. Tim Fealey to mid-Ohio businesses interested in business development and in entering export markets. In addition to writing successful grant proposals, I have also served as a grant reviewer for International Business Education grants at the U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C.

The following are a few citations of my recent journal publications: 

Chandra, Aruna., Pradeep Rau and John Ryans. Business Strategies for India: Major Opportunities in an Emerging Marketplace.  Paramount Market Publishing.  Forthcoming 2002. 

Chandra, Aruna, David Griffith and John Ryans,  “Advertising Standardization in India:  U.S. Multinational Experience.”  International Journal of Advertising. Forthcoming Spring 2002.

Chandra, Aruna and John K. Ryans,  “Marketing to India’s Vibrant Middle Class:  Four U.S.   Consumer Goods Firms’ Perspective.”  Marketing Management. Forthcoming Spring 2002.

Chandrasekaran, Aruna and John K. Ryans, “U.S. Foreign Direct Investment in India: Emerging Trends in MNC Entry Strategies”.  The International Executive, Vol. 38, No. 5, (September/October 1996), pp. 599-612.

Chandrasekaran, Aruna and John K. Ryans, “The Next Asian Dragon?: Economic Reform and Foreign Direct Investment in China”.  Foreign Trade Review, Vol. XXXI, No. 3, (October-December 1996),  pp. 1-14.

Chandrasekaran, Aruna, Frank L. Winfrey, and William E. Ford, “Shanghai Tire and Rubber Corporation (B)”.  Journal of the International Academy for Case Studies, Volume 2, Number 1, Fall 1995, pp. 15-23. 

External Grants 

I enjoy the challenge of writing competitive grant and scholarship proposals and have had several grants funded in the past few years to pursue research and business outreach activities.  Here are a few of my recent external grants:

November 2000 - Ashland Foundation Grant to provide export assistance to small to mid-sized businesses in Ashland County.

October 2000 - Richland Foundation Grant to expand the activities of the Mid-Ohio International Trade Center and to offer export assistance to firms in Richland County.

October 2000 – Grant from the Columbus International Trade Administration Center for the mid-Ohio International Trade Center. 

 April 1996- Scholarship award from the Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBEAR) to attend the Pacific Rim Management Program, “Doing Business with India.”  University of Southern California, Los Angeles, June 13-14, 1996.

 February 1995 - Scholarship award from the Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBEAR) to attend the Asia/Pacific Business Outlook Conference at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, March 13-15, 1995.      

June1994 - Tappan Grant from the Richland County Foundation. Conducted a Trade mission to Mexico on behalf of four businesses in Richland County in May 1995.

Teaching Philosophy

 My teaching philosophy hinges on the belief that learning is an active, dynamic process of discovery and insight that requires active student participation. Learning, in my view, occurs best in a student-centered classroom, where the teacher is there to guide the learning process by encouraging thoughtful analysis and intelligent response to the material under consideration.  In accordance with this philosophy, I strive to create a classroom environment that fosters analysis and critical thinking, along with providing opportunities for learning good written and oral communication skills.