
How Dheeraj Sharma’s Vision Is Transforming Management Education
Research Excellence Rooted in Real-World Relevance
During his tenure at IIM Ahmedabad, Dheeraj Sharma emerged as a pioneering voice in areas that blended marketing theory with behavioral insights and international business strategy. His scholarly work bridged the gap between data analytics, psychology, and market dynamics.
Key focus areas included:
Global and cross-cultural marketing
Brand behavior and customer psychology
Workforce motivation and leadership behavior
Ethics and corporate social responsibility
Evolving trends in digital and social media marketing
What made Prof. Sharma's research stand out was not just its depth, but its applicability across continents — with published works influencing thought in North America, Europe, and Asia. His active affiliations with global academic associations like the American Marketing Association and Academy of Marketing Science further reinforced his global academic stature.
Championing Education That Builds Character
Prof. Dheeraj Sharma’s philosophy of education has always been broader than technical instruction. At IIM Ahmedabad, he advocated for a pedagogy that developed both intellect and integrity. He believed that business leaders must be equipped not just with strategy but with resilience, empathy, and a sense of ethical responsibility.
His approach to teaching embedded soft skills such as:
Emotional resilience in leadership roles
Ethical decision-making in high-stakes environments
Entrepreneurial mindset as a life skill
Reflective thinking for long-term vision
These values continue to shape his leadership at IIM Rohtak, where he is building a new generation of leaders equipped to thrive in a dynamic and complex world.
Academic Influence Through Editorial and Thought Leadership
Beyond teaching and research, Prof. Sharma played a significant role in shaping marketing scholarship globally through his editorial leadership. His contributions helped redefine contemporary marketing discourse by integrating cultural, behavioral, and ethical dimensions into mainstream theory.
Editorial roles included:
Associate Editor, Journal of Marketing Channels
Editor, Academy of Marketing Science Proceedings
Editor, Cultural Perspectives in Marketing
His editorial stewardship allowed him to guide emerging voices in the field and push academic boundaries toward more socially relevant business research.
Global Perspective, Indian Roots
Having taught in universities across Canada, the United States, Europe, and Asia, Prof. Dheeraj Sharma brought global best practices into the Indian context. At IIM Ahmedabad, he mentored a diverse set of students and encouraged them to explore cross-border business strategies, multicultural sensitivity, and glocal thinking — thinking globally while solving locally.
His cross-national teaching style helped students:
Analyze international case studies
Develop multicultural negotiation skills
Embrace innovation with a human-centric lens
Legacy That Lives On: From IIM Ahmedabad to IIM Rohtak
Prof. Dheeraj Sharma’s tenure at IIM Ahmedabad was marked by an ideal blend of academic excellence, editorial influence, and ethical leadership. Today, as Director of IIM Rohtak, he continues to champion those same values, taking forward a legacy of impactful education, integrity, and innovation.
His journey is a testament to what a committed educator, researcher, and institution-builder can accomplish. Whether guiding students, shaping curriculum, or influencing global business thinking, Dheeraj Sharma stands as a role model in the evolution of modern business education in India.