Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/158109

Title

Ancient Indian wisdom for managers: the relevance of Valmiki Ramayana in developing managerial effectiveness

Author(s)

Muniapan, Balakrishnan;  Satpathy, Biswajit

Abstract

Valmiki Ramayana is considered as a marvellous epic and the first written literature in the Indian context. Over the centuries, several authors have explored various dimensions of Ramayana ranging from philosophy, spirituality, politics, economics, sociology, culture, literature, language, poetry, technology and others. However, management does not seem to be a popular subject of analysis from the Ramayana, although Valmiki Ramayana is pregnant with several lessons for managers. Therefore, this paper aims to fill the gap in the literature by exploring the relevance of Valmiki Ramayana for development of contemporary managers. By employing hermeneutics, a qualitative methodology, the authors have explored work motivation, dharmic management, principles of control and vigilance, decision making, humanism and equanimity from Valmiki Ramayana which provide lessons for enhancing managerial effectiveness. The prospect of exploring Valmiki Ramayana in other areas of management such as strategic management, people management, and others can be considered in the near future.

Publication type

Journal article

Research centre

Swinburne University of Technology. Sarawak Campus. School of Business and Enterprise

Source

International Journal of Indian Culture and Business Management, Vol. 3, no. 6 (2010), pp. 645-668

Publication year

2010

FOR Code(s)

150599 Marketing not elsewhere classified

Keyword(s)

Indian management;  Indian wisdom;  Managerial effectiveness;  Valmiki Ramayana

Publisher

Inderscience Publishers

ISSN

1753-0806

Publisher URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1504/IJICBM.2010.035670

Copyright

Copyright © 2010 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

Peer reviewed