Research Quest

My research journey is driven by a strong interest in sustainable operations, data-driven decision-making, and the transition to formal systems in emerging economies. I am particularly drawn to the intersection of Operations and Supply Chain Management and technology-enabled circular economy models. My doctoral work at IIM Mumbai investigates the behavioral and systemic challenges in building effective formal e-waste management systems in India, especially focusing on consumer utility, incentives, and institutional interventions. Beyond waste management, my broader research agenda explores the design of resilient, closed-loop supply chains that can accommodate circularity, sustainability, and policy alignment. I am especially interested in how informal and formal systems interact and how data can be leveraged to bridge those gaps. I believe that research in this domain must be not only technically sound but also sensitive to real-world frictions—ranging from consumer behavior to regulatory hurdles. In recent years, I have also contributed to research on data privacy and digital finance, including a CEGA-funded study on consumer-lender privacy preferences in India’s digital credit ecosystem. This work has deepened my interest in how operational models intersect with data policy, trust, and technology adoption. Methodologically, I rely on a mix of optimization, multi-criteria decision-making, and machine learning, using tools such as Python, R, Gurobi, and SPSS. I often employ simulation, hybrid algorithms, and statistical modeling to evaluate system performance under uncertainty or policy shifts. My collaborative work spans across domains including cybersecurity, emergency response logistics, and retail analytics, which has exposed me to a range of application-driven questions and inter-disciplinary insights. Going forward, I aspire to explore how digital technologies can enhance supply chain resilience and inclusiveness, particularly in the Global South. My goal is to contribute to research that not only advances theory but also informs public policy and managerial practice.

Academic Bio

K. V. Ajaygopal has been teaching at Chanakya University’s School of Commerce and Management since June 2025. He is affiliated with the Indian Institute of Management Mumbai in the area of Operations and Supply Chain Management. His academic interests include circular economy, sustainable operations, data privacy in digital finance, and analytics-driven decision making.

He has published in Decision Making: Applications in Management and Engineering and has multiple papers under review in reputed journals such as Production and Operations Management, Journal of Cleaner Production, and Business Strategy and the Environment. He has contributed to interdisciplinary research including a CEGA-funded project on digital credit privacy in India, and has worked on consulting-based research with Jindal Global Business School.

Ajaygopal has also led training programs for industry professionals, notably through a management development collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry. His teaching focuses on supply chain analytics, sustainability, and applied optimization, and he continues to be active in both academic and policy-oriented research.

Educational Qualification