Rahul Varman

Rahul Varman is a Professor in the Department of Management Sciences at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. He holds a Fellow in Management from IIM Ahmedabad (1994), an M.Tech from IIT Kharagpur (1987), and a B.Tech from Pantnagar (1985).

His research focuses on the political economy of corporations, globalization and working classes, and governance of global value chains. His work critically examines corporate power, market structures, and the impact of globalization on labor and society. Professor Varman's approach integrates political economy perspectives with organizational analysis to reveal the underlying power dynamics in contemporary capitalism.

Professor Varman's recent publications (2023-2024) analyze the digitalization of education, the political economy of India's telecom industry, corporate governance issues, and the impact of global value chains on labor conditions. His work demonstrates consistent critical engagement with mainstream economic theories, particularly challenging neoliberal assumptions about market efficiency and corporate responsibility.

His scholarly contributions appear in journals such as Monthly Review, Economic & Political Weekly, and Aspects of India's Economy, reflecting both academic rigor and engagement with policy-relevant issues. Professor Varman frequently collaborates with researchers like Manali Chakrabarti on studies examining industrial clusters and labor conditions in India.

He teaches courses including MBA 611: Organisation Structure & Behaviour, MBA 617: Socio-political & Ethical Environment of Business, MBA 716: Introduction to Corporations, and MBA 717: Governance of Global Value Chains, emphasizing critical perspectives on business and society.

Professor Varman is actively involved in social initiatives including Hamara Manch and the IIT Kanpur Citizen's Forum, demonstrating his commitment to connecting academic work with social concerns and public discourse on economic policy and corporate governance.