Prof. Arun Abraham Elias is the Director and Dean of Rajagiri Business School in Kochi, Kerala, India. He has previously held senior leadership positions as the Dean of the College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies at Fiji National University and various roles, including Associate Dean (International and Accreditation), and MBA Director at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. Academically, Prof Elias is a PhD in Management from Victoria University of Wellington and holds two Master degrees—one in Industrial Engineering and Management from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur and the other in Agricultural Engineering from Allahabad University. Prof. Elias has an extensive publication record, with recent articles pertaining to systems thinking, stakeholder analysis, and sustainable supply chain management. Additionally, he has engaged in various academic roles such as being a mentor with AASCB, a panel member of AMBA Accreditation Panel, and a fellow at the New Zealand-India Research Institute. His research and teaching expertise lies in systems thinking and modelling, stakeholder management and environmental conflict management.

Education

• PhD in Management, School of Management, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.
• Master of Technology (MTech) (Industrial Engineering & Management) – Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, India.
• Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering – University of Allahabad, India.
• Bachelor of Technology in Agricultural Engineering – University of Allahabad, India
• Post-doctoral - Lugano Summer School of Systems Design, University of Italian Switzerland

Work Experience

• Director & Dean, Rajagiri Business School, Kochi, Kerala, India from Aug 2023.
• Dean, College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies, Fiji National University, from Nov 2021 to July 2023.
• Associate Dean (International and Accreditation), Wellington School of Business and Government, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, March 2017 – Nov 2021.
• Director, MBA and Post Experience Programmes, Victoria Business School (old name), Victoria University of Wellington, 2007-2010; 2014-2017.
• Associate Professor, Senior Lecturer, Lecturer in Management, School of Management, Victoria Business School, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, from July 2003-Nov. 2021.
• Adjunct Professor, School of Management, Wellington School of Business and Government, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, from Nov. 2021-continuing.
• Director, International MBA, School of Management, Victoria Business School, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, 2012-2013.
• Director, Post Graduate Programmes in Management, School of Management, Victoria Business School, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, 2005-2007
• Lecturer, School of Management, the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand, 2000-2003
• Lecturer, School of Business and Public Management, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
• Senior Officer – Industrial Engineering, Tata Iron and Steel Company, India, 1998-1999
• Lecturer, Allahabad University, India, 1993-1996
• Specialist, UPASI R&D Centre for Rubber, Kerala, India, 1990-1993
• Mentor, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AASCB)
• Panel Member, Association of MBAs (AMBA) Accreditation Panel
• Fellow: New Zealand – India Research Institute

Area of interest

• Systems thinking and modelling.
• Stakeholder management
• Sustainable supply chain management
• Environmental conflict management

Journal Publication

International Journal Articles

• Elias, Arun & Pepper, Matthew & Singh, Gurmeet. (2024). Towards a Holistic Definition of Post-pandemic Resilience: The Pacific Context. Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management. 24. 10.1007/s40171-024-00377-0, SCOPUS Q1
• Shukla, Avanish Kumar & Elias, Arun. (2024). Financial Distress and Resilience in the Hospitality Industry: Learnings from a Fijian Resort. Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management. 24. 10.1007/s40171-024-00376-1, SCOPUS Q1
• Swamy, Yogita & Elias, Arun & Pepper, Matthew. (2024). Post-Pandemic Resilience in the Pacific: A Research Agenda Linking Regional Supply Chains and Business Process Outsourcing in Fiji. Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management. 24. 10.1007/s40171-024-00381-4, SCOPUS Q1
• Paiva, E., Alcadipani, R., Freitas, K., Sincorá, L.A., Elias, A. A. (2023). Can the Supply Chain Management Field Be More Critical? Building New Bridges with Critical Management Studies. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal. DOI: 10.1108/SCM-02-2023-0117. ABDC: A
• Elias, A. A., & Nanda, S. (2023). Adoption of Internet of Medical Things: A Systems Thinking Approach. Journal of Global Information Technology Management, 26(1), 9-24. ABDC: B
• Elias, A. A. (2022). The Dark Side of Data Driven Marketing: A Systems Thinking Analysis. Journal of Strategic Marketing. https://doi.org/10.1080/0965254X.2022.2105741 ABDC: A
• Elias, A. A., Gupta, M. and Haider, A. (2022) Analysing Environmental Conflicts using the Evaporating Cloud. Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, 29(2), 105-133. ABDC: A
• Mahadevan, K., Elias, A. A. and Samaranayake, P. (2022). Supply Chain Effectiveness through Collaborative Effectiveness: An Asia Pacific Perspective. International Journal of Performance and Productivity Management, 72(6), 1667-1687. ABDC: B
• Elias, A. A., Donadelli, F., Paiva, E. and Bacic Araujo, P. (2021). Analysing the Complexities of Sustainable Wood Supply Chain in the Amazon: A Systems Thinking Approach. The International Journal of Logistics Management, 32 (4): 1481-1505. ABDC: A
• Elias, A. A. (2021). Kerala’s Innovations and Flexibility for Covid-19 Recovery: Storytelling using Systems Thinking. Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, 22, 33-43. ABDC: A
• Tam, L.T., Ho, H.X., Nguyen, D.P., Elias, A. and Le, A.N.H. (2021). Receptivity of Governmental Communication and Its Effectiveness During COVID-19 Pandemic Emergency in Vietnam: A Qualitative Study. Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, 22, 45–64. ABDC: A
• Filassi, M., Oliveira, A. L. R., Elias, A. A. and Marsola, B. (2021). Analysing Complexities in the Brazilian soybean supply chain: A Systems Thinking and Modelling Approach. RAUSP Management Journal, 1-33. Q2 Journal
• Marsola, B., Oliveira, A. L. R., Elias, A. A. and Rodrigues, F. (2021). Reverse logistics of empty pesticide containers: solution or a problem? International Journal of Sustainable Engineering, 4(6), 1451-1462. Q2 Journal
• Elias, A. A. (2019). Strategy Development Through Stakeholder Involvement: A New Zealand Study. Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, 20(4): 313-322. ABDC: A
• Elias, A. A., Pepper, M. and Sloan, T. (2018). Lean Six Sigma in Public Sector Organisations: Editors’ Introduction. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, 9(2): 178-184. Q1 Journal
• Elias, A. A. and Davis, D. (2018). Analysing public sector continuous improvement: a systems approach. International Journal of Public Sector Management, 31(1): 2-13. ABDC: B
• Elias, A. A. (2017). Systems Thinking and Modelling for Stakeholder Management. IIM Kozhikode Society & Management Review, 6(2):123-131
• Elias, A. A. (2016). Stakeholder Analysis for Lean Six Sigma Project Management. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, 7(4): 394-405. ABDC: B; Q1 Journal
• Elias, A. A. (2016). Analysing the Stakes of Stakeholders in R&D Project Management: A Systems Approach. R&D Management. 46 (4): 749-760. ABDC: A
• Elias, A.A. and Mathew, S.K. (2015). Offshore IT outsourcing between India and New Zealand: A systemic analysis. Pacific Asia Journal if the Association of Information Systems 7(3): 33-54. ABDC: B
• Aghalaya, S. N., Elias, A.A. and Pati, R. (2014). Reverse Logistics in the Pharmaceuticals Industry: A Systemic Analysis. The International Journal of Logistics Management, 2 (25): 379-398. ABDC: A
• Elias, A.A. (2012). A System Dynamics Model for Stakeholder Analysis in Environmental Conflicts. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 54 (8): 1125-1147. ABDC: B. Q1 Journal.
• Zwikael, O., Elias, A. A., Ahn, M. (2012). Stakeholder collaboration and engagement in virtual Projects. International Journal of Networking and Virtual Organisations, 10 (2): 117-136
• Elias, A.A. (2008). Towards a shared mental model of stakeholders in an environmental conflict.  International Transactions in Operational Research, (15): 239-253. ABDC: B; Q1 Journal.
• Elias, A.A. (2008). Energy Efficiency in New Zealand's Residential Sector: A Systemic Analysis.  Energy Policy, (36) 3278-3285. ABDC: A
• Davies, J., Mabin, V. & Elias, A. (2008). Agriculture and energy - biofuels and food: a systems perspective. The Systemist, Vol 30 (2), September 2008, pp. 106-116, ISSN 0961-8309
• Elias, A. A., Cavana, R. Y. and Jackson, L. S. (2002). Stakeholder Analysis for R&D Project Management. R&D Management, 32(4): 301-310. ABDC: A
• Elias, A.A., Jackson, L.S., & Cavana, R. Y. (2004). Changing Positions and Interests of Stakeholders in Environmental Conflict: A New Zealand Transport Infrastructure Case. Asia Pacific Viewpoint, 45(1): 87-104.

Books

• Pepper, P., Price, O., and Elias, A.A. (2021). Continuous Improvement Practice in Local Government: Insights from Australia & New Zealand. Routledge.
• Corbett, L. C., and Elias, A.A. (2006). Proceedings of the 4th Australia New Zealand Academy of Management Operations Management Symposium 2006, Victoria Management School, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
• Elias, A.A. (2004). Strategic Management Learning Guide. Wellington, New Zealand: The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand.