M.V. Shyam Kumar

Shyam Kumar is a Professor of Management at the Lally School of Management, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His research focuses on how firms achieve competitive advantage through strategic decisions, innovation, entrepreneurship, and AI in organizations.

He earned a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Delhi, an MBA from IIM Bangalore, and a doctoral degree in Strategy from the University of Illinois. Prior to academia, he worked with the Tata Group's steel business in international operations.

• Teaching Excellence: Recognized as Outstanding Professor by graduating Lally master’s students (2011-2013), Dean’s awards for curriculum design (2008) and teaching excellence (2003-2006).
• Leadership: Served as Director of the MBA program, Graduate Programs Director, and Acting Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Rensselaer. Spearheaded initiatives like the Life Sciences MBA concentration.
• Honors: Lawrence Fellow of Professional Excellence, multiple fellowships including the Irwin Fellowship and Seymour Sudman Fellowship, and editorial board membership at the premier journal Strategic Management Journal.