Professor Vikas Kumar
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Professor Vikas Kumar

BA Delhi U., MIB IIFT, PhD Saint Louis U.
Director EMRG
Phone
+61 2 9351 6438
Fax
+61 2 9036 5378
Professor Vikas Kumar

Vikas Kumar is Professor in the Discipline of International Business at the University of Sydney Business School. His previous appointments were at Bocconi University as Assistant Professor in the Department of Management, and as Visiting Scholar at Stanford University and Dunning Fellow at University of Reading. He is the Editor-in-Chief of Journal of International Management (JIM), one of the top five journals in the field of International Business and an ABDC A ranked journal. Vikas has previously served as Senior and Reviewing Editor at Asia Pacific Journal of Management (APJM) and as Associate Editor at Cross Cultural and Strategic Management (CCSM). He was the Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Asia Business Studies (JABS) in 2019.

Vikas was representative-at-large for the Global Strategy Interest Group in the Strategic Management Society (SMS) and was co-chair for the Sydney SMS Special Conference in December, 2014. He was the program chair of the Australia New Zealand International Business Academy (ANZIBA) 2016 conference and is co-program chair for the Asia Academy of Management (AAOM) Conference in 2017. He is founding director of the Emerging Markets Research Group at the University of Sydney Business School. Vikas is a member of theAcademy of International Business,Academy of Management, and Asia Academy of Management. He is on the Editorial Review Board ofJournal of Management Studies, Journal of World Business, Management International ReviewandGlobal Strategy Journal.

Vikas is interested in studying the internationalization strategies employed by firms from emerging markets such as India. His research involves understanding the unique aspects of the institutional and cultural context of emerging markets and the influence context has on firm strategies. His research has been published inJournal of World Business, Global Strategy Journal, Management International Review, Journal of Management Studies, Journal of International Management and Long Range Planningamong other journals in the field of international business and management. Vikas has co-edited a book on ‘Global outsourcing and offshoring’ published by Cambridge University Press and on ‘Emerging Market Firms’ published by Emerald.

Vikas received the inaugural Excellence in Research Award by the University of Sydney Business School in 2013. His co-authored research article on ‘Indian business groups’ inCorporate Governace: An International Reviewreceived the 2nd best paper award in 2009. In 2007, Vikas received the best reviewer award by the International Management Division at the Academy of Management. In a 2016 published in the Journal of International Management, Vikas was ranked among the top 15 authors based on impact in the field of 'emerging market firm internationalization'.

Vikas’ research explores the (i) the increasing competitiveness of emerging market firms, (ii) unique attributes of emerging market firm internationalization, and (iii) strategy of business groups. His recent work focuses on the interplay of institutions and firm strategy, social networks and internationalization as well as implications of speed of internationalization.These research topics build on his previous lines of enquiry which dealt with (iv) performance implications of internationalization, (v) the impact of business group affiliation on firm performance and internationalization behaviour, and (vi) the role of outsourcing and offshoring in the internationalization process of firms. Vikas has pursued a majority of this research in the Indian context, as India presents a unique laboratory to test and build on existing international business, management and strategy theories.

  • BUSS7908 Research Readings Seminar
  • IBUS5003 Global Business
  • MIBS6003 Global Strategy
  • SMBA6119 Globalisation and Emerging Markets
Project titleResearch student
Impact of Environmental Expenditure on Export Growth of Indian FirmsRuosu GAO
Behavioral Strategy in the Wild: Contradictions Divergences and Empirical Evidences.Takhaui KAMZABEK
Internationalisation digital technology adoption and international performance: Evidence from Chinese FirmsPaul KHONG
The impact of ESG on Firm Internationalization StrategyYiyi LIAO
Advancing Sustainable Supply Chain Management in Global Value Chains: Governance Mechanisms and Collaborations to Foster SustainabilityAndrei TORRESANI PAZA
Competition Laws and Firm StrategiesZhihong WEN

Publications

Edited Books

  • Contractor, F., Kumar, V., Kundu, S., Petersen, T. (2011). Global Outsourcing and Offshoring: An Integrated Approach to Theory and Corporate Strategy. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.

Book Chapters

  • Li, Y., Gao, R., Kumar, V. (2024). Multinationality-performance relationship. In C.G. Asmussen, N. Hashai, & D. Minbaeva (Eds.), Encyclopedia of International Strategic Management, (pp. 293-302). Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing. [More Information]
  • Uraidi, N., Kumar, V. (2016). Strategic Objectives. In M. Augier and D.J. Teece (Eds.), The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Strategic Management, (pp. 1-4). London, United Kingdom: Palgrave Macmillan. [More Information]
  • Pattnaik, C., Kumar, V. (2014). Emerging Market Firms in the Global Economy: An Overview. In Chinmay Pattnaik, Vikas Kumar (Eds.), International Finance Review vol 15: Emerging Market Firms in the Global Economy, (pp. xv-xxii). Bingley, United Kingdom: Emerald Group Publishing. [More Information]

Journals

  • Purkayastha, A., Delios, A., Kumar, V. (2025). Leveraging Multisectoral Expertise and International Knowledge: Business Group Influence on Overseas Subsidiary Formation. Journal of World Business, 60(3), 101627. [More Information]
  • Wang, P., Deng, Z., Zhan, W., Kumar, V. (2025). Technology-seeking FDI policy change and local firm innovation. International Business Review, Published online: 11 February 2025, 102411. [More Information]
  • Roell, C., Arndt, F., Kumar, V. (2024). A Blessing and a Curse: Institutional Embeddedness of Longstanding MNE Subsidiaries in Emerging Markets. Journal of Management Studies, 61(2), 561-594. [More Information]

Conferences

  • Liao, Y., Doh, J., Li, Y., Kumar, V. (2024). ESG and Capital Market Survival: Evidence from Foreign Firms’ Delisting on U.S. Stock Exchanges. 84th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management (AOM) 2024, Chicago, USA: Academy of Management. [More Information]
  • Shao, X., Kumar, V., Li, Y. (2024). Home-Region Institutional Diversity and Performance: The Moderating Role of Regionalization. Academy of International Business (AIB) 2024 Annual Meeting, Seoul, South Korea: Academy of International Business.
  • Purkayastha, A., Delios, A., Kumar, V. (2024). Overseas subsidiaries of business group affiliates: The influence of group-level diversification. 50th European International Business Academy (EIBA) Annual Conference 2024, Helsinki, Finland: European International Business Academy (EIBA).

2025

  • Purkayastha, A., Delios, A., Kumar, V. (2025). Leveraging Multisectoral Expertise and International Knowledge: Business Group Influence on Overseas Subsidiary Formation. Journal of World Business, 60(3), 101627. [More Information]
  • Wang, P., Deng, Z., Zhan, W., Kumar, V. (2025). Technology-seeking FDI policy change and local firm innovation. International Business Review, Published online: 11 February 2025, 102411. [More Information]

2024

  • Roell, C., Arndt, F., Kumar, V. (2024). A Blessing and a Curse: Institutional Embeddedness of Longstanding MNE Subsidiaries in Emerging Markets. Journal of Management Studies, 61(2), 561-594. [More Information]
  • Fan, D., Wu, S., Su, Y., Kumar, V. (2024). A meta-analysis of international experience and performance: exploring the role of global mobility and national sentiments. Journal of Knowledge Management, 28(9), 2635-2666. [More Information]
  • Li, Y., Fan, D., Kumar, V., Ananthram, S. (2024). Configuring International Growth of Emerging Market Multinational Enterprises: A Compositional Springboarding View in the Context of India. Journal of Management Studies, 61(6), 2570-2603. [More Information]

2023

  • Ray, P., Ray, S., Kumar, V. (2023). A knowledge-based view of emerging market firm internationalization: the case of the Indian IT industry. Journal of Knowledge Management, 27(4), 1086-1108. [More Information]
  • Liao, Y., Kumar, V., Li, Y. (2023). ESG Performance and Surviving in Capital Market: Evidence from Foreign Firms in the U.S. Stock Exchanges. 49th Conference of the European International Business Academy, Lisbon, Portugal: European International Business Academy (EIBA).
  • Purkayastha, A., Kumar, V., Lovallo, D. (2023). How do business group affiliated firm in emerging markets outperform standalone firms? A knowledge-based view. Journal of Knowledge Management, 27(2), 527-542. [More Information]

2022

  • Schmitt, C., Kumar, V., Purkayastha, A. (2022). Institutional Capabilities and Time to First Internationalization: A Study of Indian Firms. 82nd Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management (AOM) 2022, Seattle, Washington, USA: Academy of Management. [More Information]
  • Purkayastha, A., Delios, A., Kumar, V. (2022). Overseas Subsidiary Formation by Business Group Affiliated Firms: A Composition-Based Strategy. 42nd Strategic Management Society (SMS) Annual International Conference, London, UK: Strategic Management Society.
  • Xie, E., Fang, A., Chen, X., Zhan, W., Kumar, V. (2022). Performance feedback on sales growth goal and OFDI location choices for firms in emerging economies. Journal of World Business, 57(4), 101343. [More Information]

2021

  • Purkayastha, A., Kumar, V., Gupta, V. (2021). Emerging market internationalizing firms: Learning through internationalization to achieve entrepreneurial orientation. Journal of World Business, 56(5), 101207. [More Information]
  • Purkayastha, A., Kumar, V., Delios, A. (2021). Internationalization of business group affiliated firms: Network based explanation. 81st Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management (AOM) 2021, Virtual: Academy of Management. [More Information]
  • Purkayastha, A., Kumar, V. (2021). Internationalization through foreign listing: A review and future research agenda. Journal of World Business, 56(3), 101189. [More Information]

2020

  • Sardana, D., Gupta, N., Kumar, V., Terziovski, M. (2020). CSR 'sustainability' practices and firm performance in an emerging economy. Journal of Cleaner Production, 258, 120766. [More Information]
  • Zhang, Y., Zhan, W., Xu, Y., Kumar, V. (2020). International friendship cities, regional government leaders, and outward foreign direct investment from China. Journal of Business Research, 108, 105-118. [More Information]
  • Ray, P., Kathuria, V., Kumar, V. (2020). Slippery space and sticky places: evidence from the Indian IT industry. Regional Studies, Regional Science, 7(1), 52-74. [More Information]

2019

  • Kumar, V., Gaur, A., Zhan, W., Luo, Y. (2019). Co-evolution of MNCs and local competitors in emerging markets. International Business Review, 28(5), 1-7. [More Information]
  • Jain, N., Celo, S., Kumar, V. (2019). Internationalization speed, resources and performance: Evidence from Indian software industry. Journal of Business Research, 95, 26-37. [More Information]
  • Jain, N., Pangarkar, N., Yuan, L., Kumar, V. (2019). Rapid Internationalization of Emerging Market Firms - The Role of Geographic diversity and Added cultural distance. International Business Review, 28(6), 1-10. [More Information]

2018

  • Purkayastha, A., Gupta, V., Kumar, V. (2018). Building Entrepreneurial Orientation from Learning through Internationalization. 78th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management (AoM 2018), Chicago, USA: Academy of Management. [More Information]

2017

  • Purkayastha, A., Kumar, V. (2017). A Network Approach to Understanding Internationalization of Business Group-affiliated Firms. 77th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management (AoM 2017), Atlanta: Academy of Management. [More Information]
  • Purkayastha, S., Kumar, V., Lu, J. (2017). Business group heterogeneity and the internationalization-performance relationship: Evidence from Indian business groups. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 34(2), 247-279. [More Information]
  • Ray, P., Ray, S., Kumar, V. (2017). Internationalization of latecomer firms from emerging economies - the role of resultant and autonomous learning. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 34(3), 851-873. [More Information]

2016

  • Nandakumar, M., Purkayastha, S., Kumar, V. (2016). Guest Editors Introduction. International Studies of Management and Organisation, 46(1), 1-7. [More Information]
  • Purkayastha, A., Kumar, V. (2016). Internationalization of Business Group Affiliated Firms: A Social Capital Perspective. 42nd European International Business Academy EIBA Conference, Vienna, Austria: European International Business Academy (EIBA).
  • Popli, M., Kumar, V. (2016). Jumping from Springboard? The Role of Marginal Cultural Distance in Cross-Border M&A Deal Completion. Thunderbird International Business Review, 58(6), 527-536. [More Information]

2015

  • Riaz, Z., Ray, S., Ray, P., Kumar, V. (2015). Disclosure practices of foreign and domestic firms in Australia. Journal of World Business, 50(4), 781-792. [More Information]
  • Jain, N., Pangarkar, N., Yuan, L., Kumar, V. (2015). Internationalization of Indian software firms through establishment of global development centers: A contingency perspective. Multinational Business Review, 23(2), 90-110. [More Information]
  • Contractor, F., Kumar, V., Dhanaraj, C. (2015). Leveraging India: Global Interconnectedness and Locational Competitive Advantage. Management International Review, 55, 159-179. [More Information]

2014

  • Pattnaik, C., Kumar, V. (2014). Emerging Market Firms in the Global Economy. International Finance Review, 15, xv-xxii. [More Information]
  • Pattnaik, C., Kumar, V. (2014). Emerging Market Firms in the Global Economy: An Overview. In Chinmay Pattnaik, Vikas Kumar (Eds.), International Finance Review vol 15: Emerging Market Firms in the Global Economy, (pp. xv-xxii). Bingley, United Kingdom: Emerald Group Publishing. [More Information]
  • Gaur, A., Kumar, V., Singh, D. (2014). Institutions, resources, and internationalization of emerging economy firms. Journal of World Business, 49(1), 12-20. [More Information]

2013

  • Kumar, V., Mudambi, R., Gray, S. (2013). Internationalization, Innovation and Institutions: The 3 I's Underpinning the Competitiveness of Emerging Market Firms. Journal of International Management, 19(3), 203-206. [More Information]

2012

  • Kumar, V., Pedersen, T., Kundu, S. (2012). Does Business Group Affiliation Aid or Deter Firm Internationalization? Australia and New Zealand International Business Academy Conference ANZIBA 2012 - Fusion or Fracturing Implications for International Business, Adelaide, Australia: Anziba.
  • Kumar, V., Gaur, A., Pattnaik, C. (2012). Product Diversification and International Expansion of Business Groups: Evidence from India. Management International Review, 52(2), 175-192. [More Information]
  • Lahiri, S., Kumar, V. (2012). Ranking International Business Institutions and Faculty Members using Research Publication as the Measure: Update and Extension of Prior Research. Management International Review, 52(3), 317-340. [More Information]

2011

  • Kumar, V., Annushkina, O. (2011). Entry Modes and Dynamics. In P. Budhawar and A. Varma (Eds.), Doing Business in India: Building research-based practice, (pp. 103-121). United Kingdom: Routledge imprint of Taylor & Francis. [More Information]
  • Contractor, F., Kumar, V., Kundu, S., Petersen, T. (2011). Global Outsourcing and Offshoring: An Integrated Approach to Theory and Corporate Strategy. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
  • Contractor, F., Kumar, V., Kundu, S., Pedersen, T. (2011). Global Outsourcing and Offshoring: In search of the optimal configuration of a company. In Contractor, F.J; Kumar, V; Kundu S. K; Pedersen, T (Eds.), Global Outsourcing and Offshoring: An Integrated Approach to Theory and Corporate Strategy, (pp. 3-47). United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. [More Information]

2010

  • Gaur, A., Kumar, V. (2010). Internationalization of Emerging Market Firms: A Case for Theoretical Extension. In Timothy Devinney, Torben Pedersen and Laszlo Tihanyi (Eds.), The Past, Present and Future of International Business & Management (Advances in International Management - Volume 23), (pp. 603-627). United Kingdom: Emerald Group Publishing.
  • Contractor, F., Kumar, V., Kundu, S., Pedersen, T. (2010). Reconceptualizing the Firm in a World of Outsourcing and Offshoring: The Organizational and Geographical Relocation of High-Value Company Functions. Journal of Management Studies, 47(8), 1417-1433. [More Information]
  • Chao, M., Kumar, V. (2010). The Impact of Institutional Distance on the International Diversity-Performance Relationship. Journal of World Business, 45(1), 93-103. [More Information]

2009

  • Gaur, A., Kumar, V. (2009). International Diversification, Business Group Affiliation and Firm Performance: Empirical Evidence from India. British Journal of Management, 20(2), 172-186. [More Information]
  • Gaur, A., Singh, D., Kumar, V. (2009). Internationalization Process of Emerging Market Firms: Analyzing the Shift from Exports to FDI. Academy of International Business (AIB) 2009 Annual Meeting, United States of America: Academy of International Business.
  • Gaur, A., Singh, D., Kumar, V. (2009). Resources, Institutions and Internationalization Process of Emerging Market Firms. Academy of Management 2009 Annual Meeting: Green Management Matters, United States of America: Academy of Management.

2008

  • Kumar, V. (2008). "National champion" status can be a mixed blessing. Just ask some of India's most prominent companies.(Debate Does nationality still matter?). European Business Forum, 32(March (Spring)).
  • Kumar, V., Pedersen, T., Kundu, S., Jain, N. (2008). Business Group Affiliation and Internationalization of Emerging Market Firms. 2008 Academy of Management Annual Meeting, United States: Academy of Management.
  • Kumar, V. (2008). Debate: Does Nationality Still Matter? European Business Forum, 32, 23-24.

2007

  • Kumar, V., Singh, N. (2007). Internationalization and Performance of Indian Pharmaceutical Firms. 34th AIB-UKI (Academy of International Business UK & Ireland Chapter) Conference, 2007, United Kingdom.
  • Kumar, V., Gaur, A. (2007). Internationalization of Indian Firms: Regionalization Patterns and Impact on Performance. In Alan M Rugman (Eds.), Research in Global Strategic Management: Regional Aspects of Multinationality and Performance, (pp. 201-219). United Kingdom: Emerald Group Publishing.
  • Dubini, P., Annushkina, O., Kumar, V. (2007). L'attrazione di investimenti stranieri in Italia: gli investimenti provenienti dall'estremo oriente. In Paola Dubini (Eds.), L'attrattività del sistema paese. Attrazione di investimenti e la creazione di relazioni. Italy: Il Sole 24 Ore Libri Pirola.

2006

  • Amine, L., Kumar, V. (2006). Coke and Pepsi Learn to Compete in India. In Philip Cateora and John Graham (Eds.), International Marketing, (pp. 610-615). United States of America: McGraw Hill.
  • Gaur, A., Kumar, V. (2006). International Diversification, Firm Performance and Business Group Affiliation: Empirical Evidence from India. Academy of Management 2006 Annual Meeting: Knowledge, Action and the Public Concern, United States: Academy of Management.
  • Kumar, V., Mazzola, P., Venzin, M. (2006). Internationalization of Retail Banks: A Micro-level Study of the Multinationality-Performance Relationship. Strategic Management Society 26th Annual International Conference, 2006 : Strategy and Governance in a World of Institutional Change.

2005

  • Singh, N., Kumar, V., Baack, D. (2005). Adaptation of Cultural Content: Evidence from B2C E-Commerce Firms. European Journal of Marketing, 39(1/2), 71-86. [More Information]
  • Gaur, A., Kumar, V. (2005). Role of Business Group Affiliation on International Diversification-Firm Performance Relationship. Strategic Management Society 25th Anniversary Annual International Conference, 2005.
  • Kundu, S., Kumar, V., Peters, S. (2005). The Impact of Ownership and Location Factors on the Internationalization of Service Transnationals into Transition Economies: An Empirical Study. 47th Annual Meeting of the Academy of International Business AIB 2005, United States: Academy of International Business.

2004

  • Kumar, V., Kwon, I. (2004). A Pilot Study on Normalized Weighted Approach to Citation Study – A Case of Logistics and Transportation Journals. International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, 34(10), 811-826. [More Information]
  • Kumar, V., Kwon, I. (2004). Inter-linkages between Marketing and Supply Chain Management: A Citation Based Analysis. 46th Annual Meeting of the Academy of International Business AIB 2004, United States: Academy of International Business.
  • Kumar, V., Kundu, S. (2004). Ranking the International Business Schools: Faculty Publication as the Measure. Management International Review, 44(2), 213-228.

2003

  • Kumar, V., Kundu, S. (2003). Impact of R&D and Advertising Intensity on the Multinationality-Firm Performance Relationship: The Case of India. Academy of International Business, South-East (USA) Annual Meeting 2003, United States of America: Academy of International Business.
  • Kumar, V., Boggs, D. (2003). International Business Research: An Analysis of Author Affiliation for Journal Publications. Academy of International Business, South-West (USA) Annual Meeting 2003, United States of America: Academy of International Business.
  • Kumar, V., Kundu, S. (2003). Multinationality and Performance: Empirical test of the Three-Stage Theory in an Emerging Market. Academy of Management Annual Meeting 2003: Democracy in a Knowledge Economy, United States of America: Academy of Management.

2002

  • Kumar, V. (2002). An Attempt Towards Completeness of the Multinationality-Performance Model. Academy of International Business, South-West (USA) Annual Meeting 2002, United States of America: Academy of International Business.
  • Kumar, V., Kundu, S. (2002). Country-Level Institutional Context: Moderating the Relationship Between Multinationality and Performance. Academy of International Business, South-East (USA) Annual Meeting 2002, United States of America: Academy of International Business.
  • Kumar, V., Boggs, D. (2002). Diversification and Divestment Strategy in Developing Countries. Academy of International Business, Mid-West(USA) Annual Meeting 2002, United States of America: Academy of International Business.

Selected Grants

2012

  • Developing Linkages with India for the Emerging Market Internationalisation Research Group (EMIRG), Kumar V, Office of Global Engagement/IPDF Grant