Achieving The Dean’s List In A Doctor Of Business Administration: Atul Anand’s Success Story[RP1]
Embarking on a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program is a challenging yet rewarding journey. It requires dedication, rigorous study, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge. Achieving the Dean’s List was a significant milestone that validated my hard work and commitment to academic excellence. My research topic, “Adoption of Blockchain in Supply Chain Management,” played a crucial role in this achievement. In this blog, I will share my journey, the challenges I faced, and the insights I gained during this research journey.
The Significance of the Dean’s List in SP Jain Global
The Dean’s List is a prestigious recognition awarded to students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance during their coursework. I secured the highest mark in all my subjects during my DBA journey and was the earliest to complete the DBA in my batch with the greatest quality of research thesis and findings. Achieving this distinction in a DBA program is no small feat. It signifies high academic grades and a commitment to producing impactful research. Making the Dean’s List was a powerful affirmation of my dedication and my family’s support and a motivator to continue pushing the boundaries of my research on blockchain technology in supply chain management.
Choosing the Research Topic for my Thesis
From day one of my DBA journey, I had clarity of thoughts about the research topic based on my area of work. A keen interest in both supply chain management and emerging technologies drove the selection of my research topic. Blockchain technology, known for its secure and transparent nature, has the potential to revolutionise supply chain operations. Exploring how this technology could be adopted in supply chain management was exciting and daunting. I was eager to understand the practical applications and challenges of integrating blockchain into existing supply chain frameworks.
Conducting the Literature Review
The first step in my research journey was an extensive literature review. I sought to understand the current state of supply chain management, the principles of blockchain technology, and the intersections between the two. This phase was critical in identifying gaps in existing research and framing my study’s objectives. I discovered that while there was significant interest in blockchain, its practical adoption in supply chains was still in its infancy. This realisation underscored the importance of my research and motivated me to contribute valuable insights to the field.
Developing the Research Methodology
Creating a robust research methodology was essential for the credibility and impact of my study. I opted for a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data to comprehensively understand blockchain adoption in supply chains. For the qualitative component, I interviewed industry experts and supply chain managers to gain firsthand insights into the opportunities and challenges of blockchain integration – the quantitative aspect involved surveys and data analysis to identify trends and patterns in blockchain adoption.
Data Collection Challenges and Insights
Data collection was challenging and enlightening. Coordinating interviews with busy professionals required persistence and flexibility. However, the insights gained from these conversations were invaluable. Many interviewees highlighted the potential of blockchain to improve transparency, traceability, and efficiency in supply chains, but they also pointed out significant barriers such as high implementation costs, lack of standardisation, and resistance to change.
The quantitative data, gathered through surveys, provided a broader perspective on the adoption trends. It became evident that while early adopters were already reaping benefits such as improved product traceability and reduced fraud, widespread adoption was hindered by technological and organisational challenges.
Analysing the collected data was meticulous and demanded attention to detail and critical thinking – the qualitative data from interviews offered rich narratives that complemented the survey’s statistical findings. One of the key revelations was that while blockchain holds immense promise for enhancing supply chain operations, its adoption is contingent upon overcoming several significant challenges. These include developing industry-wide standards, investing in necessary infrastructure, and fostering a culture of innovation within organisations.
The path to achieving the Dean’s List at SP Jain was fraught with challenges. Balancing the demands of coursework, research, and personal commitments required effective time management and resilience. There were moments of doubt and frustration, particularly when faced with obstacles in data collection or analysis. However, the support of my academic advisors, peers, and family was instrumental in keeping me motivated and focused.
Staying abreast of the rapidly evolving landscape of blockchain technology also posed a challenge. Continuous learning and adapting my research to incorporate new developments were essential to maintaining the relevance and rigour of my study and engaging with the academic community through conferences and seminars provided opportunities to refine my ideas and receive feedback from experts in the field.
Achieving the Dean’s List in my DBA program was a significant milestone that validated my commitment to academic excellence and innovative research. My study on the “Adoption of Blockchain in Supply Chain Management” not only contributed to my personal and professional growth but also added valuable knowledge to the field. The insights gained from this research can undoubtedly guide organisations in leveraging blockchain technology to enhance their supply chain operations.
This journey reinforced my belief in the transformative power of technology and the importance of rigorous research in driving innovation. As I look forward to the next steps in my career, I am inspired to continue exploring the intersections of technology and business and to contribute to shaping the future of supply chain management.
In conclusion, making the Dean’s List is definitely a special feeling for me to cherish for a lifetime. For those embarking on a similar journey, I encourage you to pursue your research with passion, resilience, and unwavering curiosity. The rewards of knowledge and the impact of your work will be well worth the effort.
Dr Atul Anand is a Dean’s list DBA scholar. He is the first scholar in his batch (DBA ‘15) to have completed his doctorate journey on the topic “Adoption of blockchain in supply chain management”. He has published 4 papers in international journals of high repute with 15+ google citations (including 1 h-index citation). He has completed his GMBA from SP Jain Global, Advance program in strategic management from IIM Calcutta, and Bachelor of Engineering from JECRC.
Dr Anand has two decades of IT experience in Digital transformation and senior leadership roles. He is currently working as Director IT – Cencora (fortune 10 company), Pune and has also been the President of SP Jain Global – India west Alumni chapter for 2 consecutive terms. Dr Atul Anand is the author of the award-winning book – “Experiencing Life as A YOGI”. He has won multiple CIO awards for his professional contribution. He has completed more than 82 professional certifications and holds a patent in his name. He has been mentoring Engineering college students and is the president for JECRC Alumni association. He is a believer of active learning and active leading in his life.
