Under review, perpetually.
Dr. Naman
Dr. Naman
Sharma
Researching the rebel logic of engagement and enterprise.
About Me
I'm an Assistant Professor at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Kolkata, and I've made it my mission to solve the workplace's most paradoxical riddle: Why do people do the things they shouldn't, yet somehow make everything better? That’s my area of research: positive deviance, entrepreneurial behavior, and how optimism and self-efficacy quietly shape success stories.
My work has found its way into ABDC and Scopus-indexed journals, though I promise my writing/communication in real life is far more chaotic. I've also dabbled in editing books, led executive training programs, and consulting on projects that occasionally convince me I'm solving real-world problems instead of just theorizing about them.
Off campus, I'm perpetually restless; chasing new destinations, binge-watching shows from decades ago, and engaging in the sacred art of overthinking everything: plot twists, presentation slides, existential career choices, you name it. Technically, I call this "research." My wife just calls it my personality.
Education
Ph.D. in Management
2016
MBA
2011
B.Sc.
2007
Research Interests
Recent Awards
Best Paper Award
NIT Hamirpur - GLOSMAN 2024 • 2024
Best Reviewer Award
INDAM Conference • 2025
ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship
Indian Council of Social Science Research • 2014
Best Paper Award
IIM Indore - GIZ Germany Online Conference • 2022
Best Paper Award
DVC HR Meet • 2025
Research &
Consultancy Projects
Bridging academic research with real-world business challenges through impactful collaborations
Performance Management System Review for Damodar Valley Corporation
Client
Damodar Valley Corporation
Duration
2024-25
Budget
INR 20 Lakhs
Leading a comprehensive research study on the review and revision of the Performance Management System (PMS) for Executives at Damodar Valley Corporation. The project aims to enhance organizational effectiveness through improved performance evaluation mechanisms.
Key Outcomes
-
Comprehensive KPAs Directory developed
-
Enhanced executive performance metrics
-
Implementation roadmap delivered
01
Research Project
Contributing to academic knowledge and theoretical frameworks
Export Facilitation Centre for Chhattisgarh
Client
Government of Chhattisgarh
Duration
2024-27
Budget
INR 74 Lakhs
Establishing an Export Facilitation Centre for the state of Chhattisgarh to boost export capabilities of local businesses and entrepreneurs. This multi-year project focuses on capacity building and creating sustainable export ecosystems.
Key Outcomes
-
Export facilitation infrastructure being established
-
Training programs for 500+ entrepreneurs
-
Policy recommendations for state government
02
Consultancy Project
Applying research insights to solve real-world business challenges
Value Chain Mapping for Jewelry Clusters
Client
Department of MSME, Government of West Bengal
Duration
2022-2024
Budget
INR 15 Lakhs
Conducted comprehensive value chain mapping of jewelry manufacturing in Singur and Mograhat clusters to identify export opportunities and enhance competitiveness of local artisans and small businesses in the global market.
Key Outcomes
-
Detailed value chain analysis completed
-
Export strategy framework developed
-
Partnership opportunities identified
03
Consultancy Project
Applying research insights to solve real-world business challenges
Certification Matrix for West Bengal Entrepreneurs
Client
West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC)
Duration
2021-2022
Budget
INR 18.6 Lakhs
Developed consultancy solutions for creating a certification matrix for potential entrepreneurs and exporters in West Bengal, aimed at standardizing entrepreneurial competencies and export readiness assessment.
Key Outcomes
-
Certification framework designed
-
Assessment tools developed
-
Training modules created
04
Consultancy Project
Applying research insights to solve real-world business challenges
Third Party Evaluation of Deemed Export Scheme
Client
Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
Duration
2020-2021
Budget
INR 21.5 Lakhs
Conducted third party evaluation of the Deemed Export Scheme (TED/DBK) under FTP 2015-20 for DGFT, assessing scheme effectiveness and providing recommendations for policy improvements.
Key Outcomes
-
Comprehensive evaluation report submitted
-
Policy recommendations for FTP revision
-
Best practices documentation
05
Research Project
Contributing to academic knowledge and theoretical frameworks
Publications & Research
Peer-reviewed publications in leading management journals and Books
Breaking down barriers: addressing managerial hesitancy towards hiring transgender employees
Journal Article
A Multi-stakeholder Study on the Effect of Layoffs on Separated Employees, Survivors and Organizations: What Needs to be Done?
Journal Article
Positive deviance at work: a systematic review and directions for future research
Journal Article
Espoused model of women entrepreneurship: antecedents to women entrepreneurial intention and moderating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy
Journal Article
Teaching
Passionate about educating the next generation of business leaders and strategic thinkers
MBA
Team Building & Leadership
Comprehensive course on developing high-performing teams through effective communication, collaboration, motivation, conflict management, and practical leadership strategies.
120 Students
MBA
Human Resource Management
Comprehensive course on HRM practices including talent acquisition, performance management, compensation, training & development, and employee relations.
180 Students
MBA
New Venture Creation & Startups
Explores entrepreneurial mindset, opportunity recognition, business model innovation, and strategies for launching and scaling new ventures.
200 Students
MBA
Managerial Communication
Focused course on strengthening managerial communication through clear messaging, interpersonal effectiveness, and professional writing.
180 Students
Teaching Philosophy
My teaching approach combines rigorous academic theory with practical, real-world applications. I believe in creating an engaging learning environment that encourages critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and ethical decision-making.
Through case studies, interactive discussions, and experiential learning projects, I aim to prepare students not just for their first job, but for lifelong success as adaptive, innovative leaders in an ever-changing business landscape.
GALLERY
MDPs, Institutional activities & Workshops
Capturing moments from academic visits, executive programs, workshops, and training sessions around the globe
Management Doctoral & Researcher's Colloquium 2024
September 2024
IIFT Kolkata
50 Participants
Student Delegation to Hamburg School of Business Administration (HSBA)
September 2025
Hamburg, Germany
25 Participants
Session Chair WCP Nepal - AIB South Asia Conference
January 2024
Kathmandu, Nepal
120 Participants
Indian Bank: Training program for Sourcing Officers
March 2023
West Bengal
60 Participants
Industry visit: Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone
September 2022
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
30 Participants
IIFT MOU signing with Chattisgarh Government at CM Office
August 2024
Raipur
Latest Insights
Thought leadership on management, strategy, and organizational innovation
Is Positive Deviance the Secret Sauce for Employee Engagement?
Exploring how organizations can leverage positive deviance to enhance employee engagement and drive organizational performance.
Nov 30, 2025
08 min
Everyone Talks About Inclusion but Here’s Who’s Still Left Out
Understanding and addressing managerial hesitancy towards building truly inclusive workplaces and diverse teams.
Dec 06, 2025
05 min
What Makes Indian Women Say “Yes” to Entrepreneurship and Why Confidence Changes Everything
Examining the factors influencing women entrepreneurial intentions and the role of self-efficacy in entrepreneurial success.
Dec 10, 2025
08 min
Digital Transformation and Talent Management in Industry 4.0
Insights on managing human resources in the era of digital transformation and emerging Industry 4.0 technologies.
Jan 22, 2024
7 min