This is an interactive PDW (in a roundtable discussion format) that presents South Asia as neglected context in international management (IM) research despite its richness and complexity. We focus upon highlighting relevance of the emerging South Asian economies in international management (IM) research, and pose two main questions, a) why it is important to conduct research in South Asia, and b) what topics are most relevant in South Asia and have the potential to enrich IM theory and practice? In addition, based upon research findings and

ideas presented by seven global scholars at this PDW, we collaborate with the participants to outline directions for future research that draws upon South Asian samples. Using a series of roundtables, we would engage participants in a broader discussion of the importance of South Asian countries to IM research, and encourage them to think ahead by choosing different (i.e. non-western) contexts. The PDW is led and organized by seven global scholars from three countries, including Chand, Gupta, Khilji, Schuler and Matthews from USA; Syed from the UK, and Schuster from Germany, who bring a diverse expertise related to conducting research in South Asia. The session presents a great opportunity for informed debate about the growing importance of emerging economies in IM theory and practice, as well offers ideas on developing research questions that are relevant to the South Asian context.

Organisers:
The PDW is led and organized by seven global scholars from three countries, including Chand, Gupta, Khilji, Schuler and Matthews from USA; Syed from the UK, and Schuster from Germany, who bring a diverse expertise related to conducting research in South Asia. They share findings of their previous research, as well discuss their work in progress to provide a review of past and ongoing research focused upon South Asia, while maintaining an emphasis on the importance of being different in order to contribute to IM theory and practice.

Khilji, S.E., Chand, M., Gupta, Syed, J., Schuler, R., Matthews, C., & Schuster, T. (2014). Conducting research in South Asia: Thinking ahead and being different. Professional Development Workshop. Academy of Management Conference, Philadelphia, PA, August 1-5.