Design Thinking Applications and Challenges for Modern Business

Sr. Prof.(Dr.) K.S. Chandrasekar has more than 28 years of teaching, research and consulting experience and Chairman of BOS in Management (Pass & PG). ¬He holds B.Pharm (Hons) from BITS, Pilani, MBA with distinction from BSMED, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore and PhD in Management from Alagappa University, Karaikudi. He also completed one year CPET from Indian School of Business, Hyderabad. ¬He has contributed more than Rs.152.75 Crore through funding from Government of Kerala, DST, UGC, AICTE, SBI, KILE etc. ¬He held the post of Vice Chairman of Centre for Management Development, Government of Kerala for three years. ¬He was formerly Registrar and Acting Vice Chancellor of University of Kerala. Held the post of Dean, Faculty of Management studies for eight years in University of Kerala and Chairman –BOS in Management (PG), MG University. ¬Has more than 14 years’ experience as a Full Professor of University of Kerala and 10 years as Head of IMK, 65 scholars have completed Ph.D. under guidance. ¬Won 16 international and national awards. ¬He has published ten leading management books and 215 scholarly articles including 33 UGC CARE articles. ¬Widely travelled across the world, he has chaired and presented papers in international and national seminars and also acting as NAAC peer team member. He was involved in structuring many innovative PG management programmes like Pharmaceutical management, Public health and hospital management, Energy management etc.

Ananda Wickramasinghe brings over 25 years of extensive experience in diverse settings, engaging with multiple stakeholders across academic and professional landscapes. His expertise spans universities, private higher education institutions, and industry in countries including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, and Dubai. His roles encompass teaching, research, academic and professional program development, consultancy, and training. Ananda is a recognized expert in design thinking (user/human-centered design), business transformation, strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurship. His expertise extends to teaching undergraduate, MBA and Postgraduate Business courses, executive MBA programs, innovation & entrepreneurship courses, and professional development programs. He focuses on contemporary leadership, critical thinking for creativity, and innovation. Currently, Ananda serves as a senior academic at the Business School and Sydney Business School (AACSB accredited) at the University of Wollongong (UOW), Australia. UOW ranks among the top 1% of universities worldwide and is positioned 167nd in the QS World University Rankings 2025. Ananda teaches: •Design Thinking and Business Transformation •Contemporary Global Perspectives on Strategy •Innovation and Entrepreneurship •Contemporary Leadership Skills for Entrepreneurs •Insights into Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Organisational analysis, Leading in Contemporary Organisations, International Business, Strategy for postgraduate programs. His research agenda integrates strategy, social entrepreneurship, international business, and digital/business transformation, with a strong focus on sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship in emerging and developed markets. His approach these themes through an interdisciplinary and socio-political lens, connecting theoretical rigor with managerial practice and societal impact. He has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles in A/A-ranked journals* (California Management Review, Industrial Marketing Management, Journal of Innovation & Knowledge), alongside editing special issues (e.g., Sustainability on SME leadership). Beyond teaching and research, he brings extensive academic governance and leadership experience, currently serving as a Director (BoDs) and Deputy Chair of an Academic Board, and previously holding roles such as Sub-Dean, Program Director, and Professor & Manager (QA): academic program development & accreditation.