India and South Asia Business Centre

About us

The James E. Lynch India and South Asia Business Centre (ISABC) is a university-based institute focusing on the South Asia region. With a focus on South Asia, ISABC aims to promote and co-ordinate research on South Asian businesses as well as enhancing the profile of University of Leeds in the South Asia region.

ISABC was established in 2004 under the Strategic Research Infrastructure Fund (SRIF) II scheme.

Our vision

ISABC undertakes inter- and trans-disciplinary research in which expertise across disciplines are integrated together to forge new understanding and new ways of addressing critical sustainability and global grand challenges within the context of the South Asian region.

ISABC strives to translate research into practice and impact through the delivery of collaborative projects according to the “Triple Helix” stakeholders (academia, industry, and governmental institutions).

Research themes

The centre focuses on the following major themes, that complement the Research and Innovation Strategy of Leeds University Business School and University of Leeds:

Sustainability and Grand Challenges in South Asia

• Addressing sustainability issues in South Asian GVC
• Integrating sustainability into the strategy of MNEs and SMEs in South Asia
• Addressing Grand Challenges in South Asia e.g., gender diversity, migration, SDGs, healthcare.
• Exploring the challenges of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in South Asian region.

Global Value Chain and Foreign Director Investment in South Asia

• Governance of GVC in South Asia
• Country Alliance: Commonwealth Value Chain & South Asia
• Inward and outward FDI into/from India & South Asia
• International M&As involving South Asian firms

Internationalisation of SMEs and MNEs from South Asia

• Internationalisation of SMEs from India & South Asia
• The growth and performance of MNEs from India & South Asia
• Managing foreign subsidiary in South Asia
• South-South and South-west trade and investment

Welcome from the Directors 

ISABC's aim is to understand the South Asian region complexities and identify opportunities for growth and development. Our vision is to become the academic Institute of choice in the South Asia region for collaborations, partnerships, and implementation of cutting-edge research, offering a platform for students, scholars, and organisations to engage with the South Asian region.

If you are sharing our vision and you are interested in working together with us and contributing to our diverse and dynamic community, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Kind regards,

Professor Mohammad Faisal Ahammad
Director of JEL India & South Asia Business Centre (ISABC)
Professor of International Business & Management
CIBUL & International Business Department, Leeds University Business School
m.f.ahammad@leeds.ac.uk

Dr Amrita Manohar
Deputy Director of JEL ISABC
Lecturer in International Business
CIBUL & International Business Department, Leeds University Business School
a.manohar@leeds.ac.uk

ISABC gave me exposure and opportunity to interact with industry experts