1. Purpose and Scope

1.1 Purpose of the Policy

The Research Policy of Kochi Business School (KBS), approved by AICTE and affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, aims to:

• Build a research culture: Encourage and support research that strengthens academic excellence and advances knowledge in management and allied disciplines.

• Guide research activity: Provide clear frameworks so that research at KBS is conducted ethically, responsibly and effectively.

• Promote innovation and collaboration: Stimulate applied research and partnerships with industry, academic institutions, government bodies and the LEAD group of institutions.

• Support faculty and students: Offer guidance, time and resources that help faculty and MBA students produce high-quality research and grow professionally.

• Align with institutional goals: Ensure that research supports the strategic objectives of KBS, its national ranking and accreditation goals, and the regulatory expectations of AICTE and Mahatma Gandhi University.

1.2 Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to all research activities carried out under the name of KBS, including:

• Faculty members: All full-time and visiting faculty, in their research and publication work.

• Students: MBA students undertaking research as part of the curriculum (such as projects, internships and dissertations) or through club and extracurricular activity.

• Administrative and support staff: Staff involved in research projects or in supporting research activity.

• Collaborators and external researchers: Visiting scholars, industry partners and partner institutions engaged in joint research with KBS.

• Research projects and publications: All projects, whether funded internally or externally, and all articles, books, chapters, case studies, conference papers and reports carrying a KBS affiliation.

Everyone involved in research at KBS is expected to understand and follow this policy, so that work done under the name of the institution meets the highest standards of academic integrity.

2. Research Funding and Grants

2.1 Funding Opportunities

• Internal funding: KBS sets aside funds for research, which may cover data collection, software, research-related travel, and publication fees in approved journals.

• External grants: Faculty and students are encouraged to apply to agencies such as ICSSR, AICTE, UGC, KSCSTE and other government, industry and CSR funders. KBS will help identify funding sources and prepare applications.

• Seed money: For new or preliminary projects with promise of growth and future external funding, KBS may sanction seed money.

2.2 Application Process

• Proposal submission: Researchers submit a proposal setting out objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, timeline and a detailed budget.

• Evaluation criteria: Proposals are assessed on relevance to KBS's strategic goals, potential impact, methodological soundness and feasibility.

• Approval: The Research Committee reviews proposals and recommends them to the Principal for sanction. Proposals involving significant expenditure are placed before the management for approval.

2.3 Management of Research Funds

• Financial oversight: All research funds are governed by the financial rules of KBS. Researchers must keep accurate expense records and stay within the approved budget.

• Reporting: Progress reports and a final report, covering outcomes, expenditure and any deviation from the proposal, are mandatory.

• Ethical compliance: All funded research must meet the ethical standards in Section 5, including clearance for work involving human participants or sensitive data.

2.4 Support for Grant Applications

• Workshops and training: KBS will run sessions on writing grant proposals and managing research funds.

• Resource materials: Faculty will have access to lists of funding agencies, call notifications and sample proposals.

2.5 Interdisciplinary Research

KBS encourages projects that cut across functional areas such as marketing, finance, HR, operations, analytics and general management, and gives special consideration to such proposals in funding decisions.

3. Faculty Development Programme (FDP)

3.1 Objectives

• Enhance academic expertise: Help faculty update their subject knowledge, research skills and teaching methods in line with industry and academic trends.

• Promote professional growth: Support continuous development in pedagogy, including activity-based and experiential learning, research capability and academic leadership.

• Foster knowledge exchange: Encourage sharing of ideas and good practice within KBS and with other institutions.

3.2 Eligibility

• Faculty members: All full-time faculty are eligible. Visiting faculty may be considered based on their contribution and the availability of funds.

• Frequency: Each faculty member is eligible for reimbursement for one FDP per academic year. Programmes under the AICTE ATAL scheme or other free programmes do not count towards this limit.

3.3 Programmes Covered

• Conferences and workshops: National and international conferences, workshops and seminars relevant to the faculty member's area of expertise.

• Training programmes: Specialised training, certification or online courses (for example, through IIMs, IITs, AICTE, NPTEL or SWAYAM) that strengthen teaching and research skills.

3.4 Application and Approval

• Application: Faculty submit an application giving details of the programme, its relevance to their work, and the expected benefit to themselves and KBS.

• Approval: Applications are reviewed by the Research Committee and approved by the Principal, based on relevance, benefit and available budget.

3.5 Reimbursement

• Eligible expenses: Registration fees, subject to KBS policy and prior approval.

• Claims: Faculty submit original receipts, the participation certificate and a brief report on the programme within 15 days of completion.

3.6 After the FDP

• Knowledge sharing: Faculty share what they learned with colleagues through a seminar, workshop or faculty meeting session.

• Application in practice: Faculty are expected to apply the learning to teaching methods, course design and research.

3.7 Monitoring and Evaluation

Feedback from participants will be collected to judge how well FDPs meet their objectives and to inform future decisions.

4. Publication Incentives

4.1 Objectives

• Encourage scholarly publication: Motivate faculty and students to carry out quality research and publish their findings.

• Enhance research visibility: Increase the visibility and impact of KBS research, supporting the institution's reputation and ranking.

• Reward contribution: Recognise faculty and students who make significant scholarly contributions to their fields.

4.2 Publications Covered

• Peer-reviewed journal articles: Articles in reputed peer-reviewed journals, with preference for those indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, ABDC or UGC-CARE.

• Books and book chapters: Scholarly books or chapters published under the KBS ISBN or by recognised academic publishers.

• Case studies: Teaching cases published in recognised case repositories or journals.

• Conference proceedings: Papers presented at national or international conferences and published in their proceedings.

4.3 Eligibility

• Faculty and students: All full-time faculty and currently enrolled MBA students, publishing with KBS affiliation, are eligible.

• Quality and relevance: Publications must meet high standards of academic rigour and be relevant to the author's field. Publications in predatory or cloned journals are not eligible.

4.4 Incentives

• Seed money: Authors who publish under the KBS ISBN will receive seed money.

• Additional rewards: Distinguished publications, such as those in high-impact indexed journals or with leading publishers, may receive additional rewards or recognition, as decided by the Research Committee.

4.5 Claiming Incentives

• Proof: Authors submit a copy of the published work with proof of publication, such as the ISBN, DOI or acceptance letter.

• Verification: The Research Committee verifies authenticity, indexing and compliance with this policy.

• Disbursement: Once approved by the Principal, the incentive is disbursed to the author(s).

4.6 Collaborative Publications

• Interdisciplinary work: KBS particularly encourages publications arising from interdisciplinary and inter-institutional research.

• Joint authorship: Co-authorship with industry professionals, international scholars and KBS students is strongly encouraged.

4.7 Supporting Publication

• Workshops: KBS will hold workshops on academic writing, the publication process and publication ethics.

• Resources: Access to research databases, reference managers, plagiarism-check software and writing tools will be provided.

5. Ethical Considerations

5.1 Importance of Ethical Conduct

• Upholding standards: Ethical conduct is central to the integrity and credibility of research at KBS.

• Public trust: Ethical practice earns and keeps the trust of the academic community, industry and the public.

• Legal and regulatory compliance: Ethical research complies with applicable laws and with UGC, AICTE and university regulations.

5.2 Ethical Principles

• Integrity and honesty: Research must be conducted honestly, without fabrication, falsification or misrepresentation of data.

• Transparency: Researchers must disclose funding sources, methods and any conflicts of interest.

• Respect for participants: Research involving people, including surveys and interviews of students, employees or managers, must respect their dignity, rights and welfare, with informed consent, confidentiality and minimal harm.

5.3 Compliance with Ethical Standards

• Ethics review: Proposals involving human participants or sensitive data must be reviewed by the KBS Research Ethics Committee before data collection begins.

• Training: Researchers must complete training in research ethics and publication ethics, particularly when working with vulnerable groups or sensitive topics.

• Plagiarism check: All theses, dissertations and manuscripts must be checked with approved plagiarism-detection software, in line with UGC regulations on academic integrity.

5.4 Research Misconduct

• Definition: Research misconduct includes plagiarism, data fabrication or falsification, improper authorship, and other serious departures from ethical standards.

• Reporting: KBS provides a confidential channel to report suspected misconduct to the Principal or the Research Committee.

• Investigation and sanctions: Allegations will be investigated fairly and thoroughly, and appropriate action will be taken in confirmed cases.

5.5 Intellectual Property Rights

• Protection: Intellectual property arising from research at KBS will be protected and managed under KBS guidelines.

• Patents, copyright and licensing: KBS will lay down guidelines on patent filing, copyright, licensing and revenue sharing between the institution and the creators.

5.6 Data Management and Privacy

• Data integrity: Researchers are responsible for the accuracy and safe storage of research data, which should be retained for at least five years after publication.

• Confidentiality: Compliance with data protection law, including the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, is mandatory when handling personal information.

5.7 Ethics in Collaborative Research

In collaborative research, KBS researchers must ensure that all partners follow these ethical guidelines and the ethical standards of every participating institution.

6. Collaborative Research

6.1 Purpose

• Quality and scope: Collaboration with academic institutions, industry and research organisations brings diverse expertise and resources, leading to richer outcomes.

• Innovation and knowledge exchange: Partnerships create new approaches that benefit all parties and the wider knowledge base.

• Professional networks: Joint projects help faculty and students build networks that enhance careers, placements and the standing of KBS.

6.2 Principles

• Mutual respect and equity: Collaborations recognise the contributions and interests of all parties.

• Transparency and communication: Objectives, methods and data-sharing arrangements are agreed clearly at the outset.

• Ethical compliance: All collaborative research follows Section 5 of this policy.

6.3 Establishing Collaborations

• Initiation and agreement: Collaborations may be initiated by faculty or the management and should be formalised through an MoU or agreement setting out roles, responsibilities and expectations.

• Approval: Proposed collaborations are reviewed by the Research Committee and approved by the Principal, with MoUs signed by the authorised signatory of KBS.

• Funding and resources: Funding and resource arrangements are specified in the agreement.

6.4 Managing Collaborations

• Project management: Sound project management ensures smooth and timely delivery.

• Conflict resolution: The agreement provides a mechanism to resolve disputes.

• Intellectual property: Ownership, use and dissemination of intellectual property are agreed by all parties in advance.

6.5 Outcomes

• Dissemination: Findings are shared through joint publications, conferences, case studies and industry forums.

• Impact assessment: The academic, industry and social impact of collaborative research is assessed and documented.

6.6 Support

KBS will support collaborative research by connecting faculty with potential partners, including through its industry network and the LEAD alliance, and by providing administrative help and access to facilities.

7. Research Evaluation and Reporting

7.1 Purpose

• Quality and impact: Regular evaluation ensures that KBS research meets high standards and contributes to the field.

• Progress and compliance: Evaluation tracks project progress and compliance with this policy.

• Planning: Findings inform future research priorities and policies.

7.2 Evaluation Procedure

• Periodic reviews: Projects, especially long-term ones, are reviewed periodically by the Research Committee or designated evaluators.

• Criteria: Originality, methodology, progress against objectives, ethical compliance and contribution to the field.

• Feedback: Researchers receive feedback and recommendations for improvement or redirection.

7.3 Reporting Requirements

• Progress reports: Submitted at agreed intervals, covering status, challenges and preliminary findings.

• Final report: On completion: a summary of the work, key findings, implications and directions for future research.

• Financial reports: Mandatory for funded projects, accounting fully for the use of funds.

• Annual research report: The Research Committee will compile an annual report of KBS research output for use in NIRF, accreditation and AICTE/university submissions.

7.4 Transparency and Disclosure

• Public access: KBS encourages publication of findings in accessible formats.

• Confidentiality: KBS respects the confidentiality of sensitive and proprietary information, particularly in industry-sponsored work.

7.5 Impact Assessment

• Measuring impact: Impact is assessed through citations, practical application in industry, and contributions to policy.

• Success stories: Successful projects are documented and publicised as evidence of KBS's research capability.

7.6 Support for Researchers

KBS will provide guidance, templates and workshops to help researchers prepare progress reports, final reports and impact assessments.

8. Support and Resources

8.1 Research Infrastructure

• Facilities: Library, computer lab and research workspace equipped with the resources needed for management research.

• Databases and journals: Subscriptions to research databases and journals, including access through e-consortia where available.

8.2 Financial Support

• Grants and funding: Information and assistance for internal and external research funding.

• Travel support: Support for presenting papers at conferences, workshops and seminars, subject to approval.

8.3 Administrative and Technical Assistance

• Research administration: Help with grant applications, ethics review submissions and compliance.

• Technical support: Assistance with data analysis software and other technical aspects of research.

8.4 Professional Development

• Workshops and seminars: Sessions on proposal writing, research methods, data analysis and publication strategy.

• Mentorship: Experienced researchers mentor junior faculty and students, including guidance for faculty pursuing a PhD.

8.5 Collaboration and Networking

• Partnerships: Help in connecting with industry, academic institutions and research organisations.

• Networking events: Hosting and taking part in conferences and events that build research relationships.

8.6 Dissemination and Promotion

• Publication support: Guidance on choosing suitable journals, preparing manuscripts and handling peer review.

• Conferences: Support for organising and participating in academic conferences, including KBS's own conferences.

8.7 Data Tools

• Software: Access to tools for data collection, analysis and management, such as SPSS, R, Python and survey platforms.

• Training: Workshops on data management and advanced analysis.

8.8 Interdisciplinary Research

• Research groups: Formation of research groups around cross-functional themes.

• Resource sharing: Sharing of resources across departments to support joint work.

9. Policy Review and Update

9.1 Objectives of Review

• Relevance: Keep the policy responsive to changes in the research landscape, technology and regulation.

• Feedback: Incorporate feedback from the KBS research community.

• Best practice: Align with national and international good practice in research governance and ethics.

9.2 Review Process

• Scheduled reviews: The policy is formally reviewed every two years, with interim reviews when significant changes in regulation or the research environment require them.

• Review committee: A committee of experienced researchers, faculty and administrative staff, constituted by the Principal, conducts the review.

• Consultation: Faculty, students, staff and external research partners are consulted.

9.3 Updating the Policy

• Amendments: The committee drafts amendments based on its findings, which may add, revise or remove sections.

• Approval: Amendments are submitted to the KBS Governing Body for approval.

• Communication: Approved changes are communicated through faculty meetings, email and the KBS website.

9.4 Feedback Mechanism

• Ongoing feedback: A dedicated channel will be provided for suggestions and concerns about the policy.

• Review of feedback: The Research Committee reviews feedback regularly and considers it during policy review.

9.5 Records

• Documenting changes: All changes are recorded with the reasons for each amendment.

• Archiving: Previous versions are archived for reference and transparency.

9.6 Training and Awareness

• Awareness sessions: After significant updates, KBS will hold sessions to familiarise researchers with the changes.

• Orientation: Key aspects of the policy will be included in induction for new faculty and orientation for new MBA students.

10. Conclusion

The Research Policy of Kochi Business School is designed to build a vibrant and ethical research culture in line with the institution's commitment to academic excellence, innovation and industry relevance. Through clear guidelines, practical support and continuous review, KBS aims to ensure that research carried out under its name meets the highest standards.

KBS invites all members of its community to take an active part in upholding and strengthening these standards, so that research at KBS contributes meaningfully to management education, to industry and to society.

 

Principal

 

Kochi Business School