Vimal Kumar is an Assistant Professor at Chaoyang University of Technology, Taichung, Taiwan (R.O.C.) in the Department of Information Management. He completed his Postdoctoral Research at Chaoyang University of Technology, Taichung, Taiwan (R.O.C.) in the Department of Business Administration in the domain of Technological Innovation and Patent Analysis. He has served as an Assistant Professor under TEQIP III, an initiative of MHRD, Govt. of India at AEC Guwahati in the Department of Industrial and Production Engineering. Prior to joining AEC, he served as Assistant Professor at MANIT, Bhopal in the Department of Management Studies and also served as Visiting Faculty at IMT Nagpur. He obtained his PhD in the domain of TQM and Manufacturing Strategy in the year 2017 and Masters in Supply Chain Management from the Department of Industrial & Management Engineering, IIT Kanpur in the year 2012. He graduated (B.Tech) in Manufacturing Technology from JSS Academy of Technical Education Noida
EDUCATION
PhD from IIT Kanpur
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Total Quality Management, Supply Chain Management, Industry 4.0, Sustainability
Synergy of social commerce and Industry 4.0: fostering customer experiences in the digital era Abhay Grover, Pooja Sharma, Mahender Singh Kaswan, Rekha Chaudhary, Vimal Kumar International Journal of Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, 2026 PurposeThis study aims to examine the integration of social commerce practices and Industry 4.0 technologies for enhancement of customer experiences in the contemporary digital age.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed bibliometric analysis to systematically explore the literature on social commerce, Industry 4.0, and customer experiences from 2000 to 2023, adhering to PRISMA guidelines and rigorous search strategies.FindingsDrawing insights from diverse sources, the study illuminates the key findings, challenges and opportunities, offering a thorough understanding of this complex relationship. Findings reveal the promising potential of integrating social commerce and Industry 4.0 to catalyze customer experiences through personalized interactions, real-time engagement and data-driven insights. Challenges include data privacy concerns, technological complexity, and the need for cross-functional collaboration. The synergy empowers businesses to contribute positively to social, economic and environmental dimensions, revolutionizing traditional boundaries and fostering enriched customer experiences.Originality/valueThe study is of the first kind that investigates the relationship between social commerce and Industry 4.0 from the perspective of customer experience.
Mapping the healthcare logistics and supply chain management in times of crisis Rohit Raj, Vimal Kumar, Arpit Singh, Pratima Verma Benchmarking, 2026 Purpose This study aims to investigate the relationship between patient satisfaction (PS) and the parameters in healthcare and supply chain management (HLSCM). Design/methodology/approach The structural equation modeling (SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method have been employed to identify correlation and possible configuration of causal factors that influence PS, including lack of resilience (LS), lack of visibility (LV), cost management (CM) and integration and interoperability (II). Findings The results from SEM confirmed that PS is highly correlated with lack of visibility, CM and II as critical parameters. Moreover, fsQCA findings state that the configuration of high levels of both resilience and lack of visibility, as well as high levels of II, are crucial for PS. Research limitations/implications The researchers also identified the configuration of factors that lead to low PS. The study’s results could assist healthcare providers in improving their supply chain operations, resulting in more effective and efficient healthcare service delivery and ultimately improving PS. Originality/value The fsQCA method used in the study provides a more nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between these factors. The inclusion of supply chain management characteristics as parameters in the evaluation of PS is a novel aspect of this research. Previous studies largely focused on more traditional factors such as physical care, waiting times and hospital amenities. By considering supply chain management factors, this study provides insights into an under-explored area of PS research, which has important implications for healthcare providers looking to improve their operations and PS.
Critical success factors for open source innovation in pharma industry: learning from two case studies Ajay Jha, R.R.K. Sharma, Vimal Kumar TQM Journal, 2026 PurposeThe study aims to add to the body of knowledge of open source tangible product management (also called open design). The objective is also to develop a guideline for efficient open source tangible product development and adoption.Design/methodology/approachThe exploratory research design using secondary data (like newspapers, magazines, research articles, bogs, papers, etc.) is used to analyze open source tangible product design challenges and enablers. The success stories of Open Source Software projects (OSS) were studied for identification of critical success factors and further their relevancy was tested in the two popular cases of open source drug discovery (malaria and tuberculosis)FindingsOpen innovation has become a part of competitive strategy of current businesses. It requires an efficient intellectual property protection regime for its implementation. However, in a market dominated by proprietary benefits, the open source technology development can serve as remedy for innovation needs of neglected sectors. The OSS literature revealed managing two classes of factors, namely technology sponsor level factors and environmental factors for efficiency and effectiveness. The case study analysis in the context of applicability of these OSS critical factors showed their limitations in open source tangible products, and highlighted understanding additional challenges and remedies.Research limitations/implicationsOpen source innovation is a collaborative effort involving inputs from various/diverse players, hence monitoring the effort and motivation level of the contributors is a cumbersome task. Only the information that is available online and in print media is taken as research inputs in this work. Also the data taken were from two case studies; a lot more case studies in the open design domain can progress the theory. The implications of this study are far-reaching in the areas where profit motivated proprietary efforts lack in addressing societal need. It provides guidelines for addressing those unmet needs by developing products in a collaborative way without intellectual property hurdles.Originality/valueThe essence of open design is becoming more vital, and there is a pressing need to build theory to support it, which still is elusive and dispersed. The study fills the gap using secondary data and case study approach.
Navigating global supply chain opportunities in IT outsourcing and offshoring Rohit Raj, Vimal Kumar, Virendra Kumar Verma Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 2026 Purpose The study investigates the relationship between Communication and Coordination (CC), Adequate Visibility (AV), Ensuring Security (ES) and Supply Chain Opportunities (SCO) from the perspective of global IT outsourcing and offshoring. Design/methodology/approach The target employees for this study are primarily from the manufacturing and IT sectors. The study population comprises respondents from Taiwan. In this study, a quantitative survey-based research methodology has been utilized. The statistical software SPSS 26 was used to validate the conceptual framework and research hypotheses. Findings The results of this study highlight the relationship between SCO in IT outsourcing and offshoring and coordination, communication, visibility and security. Important correlations can be identified using statistical analysis such as factor analysis, correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. The regression model indicates that CC, AV and ES significantly influence SCO, with an overall explanatory strength R2 of 0.49. Research limitations/implications Through the identification of factors that increase prospects in this field, this research contributes to an improved comprehension of the effects of IT outsourcing and offshoring on SCO. Originality/value Efficient CC brings up alliances, AV encourages informed outcomes and ES protects resources. SCO incorporates supply chain redesign, cost efficiency, scalability, quality enrichment, innovation, core competency, global expansion and new technology adoption. Organizations intending to maximize their efficiency and competitive edge while negotiating the intricacies of the global IT outsourcing and offshoring ecosystem have to understand how these variables intersect from the perspective of global IT outsourcing and offshoring.
Driving Circular Economy Transitions Through Strategic Green HRM and CSR: Insights From Manufacturing Industries Sahilali Saiyed, Vimal Kumar, Pratima Verma Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 2026 This study examines how the strategic alignment of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Green Human Resource Management (Green HRM) strengthens circular economy implementation, focusing specifically on downstream practices of recycling and product refurbishment in manufacturing industries. Drawing on Human Capital Theory (HCT) and Circular Economy (CE) theory, we assess how sustainability‐oriented recruitment and recycling/refurbishment‐focused training influence employee engagement and, in turn, organizational performance in recycling and refurbished product initiatives. Survey data were collected from 400 HR managers in Gujarat, India, and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS‐SEM). The findings show that both recruitment and training positively affect organizational performance, with employee engagement serving as a significant mediating mechanism. By clarifying a human capital–based pathway for downstream circular implementation, the study extends Green HRM and CE research and offers practical guidance for HR leaders and policymakers in emerging economies seeking to strengthen recycling and refurbishment outcomes through CSR‐aligned workforce strategies.
Integrating quality 5.0 approaches for the future of quality management Vimal Kumar, Arpit Singh, Nagendra Sharma, Pratima Verma TQM Journal, 2026 Purpose The objective of this study was to examine whether and to what extent Quality 5.0 approaches, with an emphasis in the study on the combination of advanced technologies, humanistic principles of leadership and sustainability, would influence key organizational outcomes. Whereas Quality 4.0 primarily focused on the role of automation and digital tools, Quality 5.0 is concerned with ethical use of artificial intelligence, staff commitment and engagement, along with associated responsibility to the environment, thus operating in close alignment with the Industry 5.0 framework. This study investigated the effects of three Quality 5.0 enablers – technological factors (TF), human-centric and managerial factors (HCMF) and sustainability and customer experience factors (SCEF) – on four outcome constructs: quality and performance outcomes (QPO), customer-centric outcomes (CCO), business and financial impact (BFI) and sustainability and ethical impact (SEI). Design/methodology/approach The study employs structural equation modeling (SEM) using SmartPLS to evaluate the relationships among Quality 5.0 variables. Data were collected through a structured survey administered across Indian organizations from diverse sectors, including manufacturing, services and education. Findings The results confirm that TF, HCMF and SCEF have a positive and significant influence on all four outcome variables (QPO, CCO, BFI and SEI). This demonstrates that the effective implementation of Quality 5.0 requires not just technological adoption but also strong leadership, employee engagement and sustainability-focused strategies. Research limitations/implications The results are contextually anchored in the Indian organization context and may impede the generalizability in other spaces; hence, the findings offer an empirical basis for practical application of Quality 5.0 initiatives for real-world quality management frameworks. The results suggest that technology in its own right is not sufficient and that the human and ethical dimensions play an essential role in quality transformation. Originality/value This study is among the first to propose and empirically validate an integrated Quality 5.0 framework. It contributes both theoretically and practically by linking digital, human-centric and sustainability drivers to multi-dimensional quality outcomes, offering organizations a strategic roadmap for responsible and future-ready quality management.
HAPPINESS BASED ON RELIGION AMONG PRE-RETIREMENT STAGE CAREERS OF BUDDHISTS IN THAILAND: INSIGHTS FROM A NATIONAL SURVEY Journal of Buddhist Anthropology, 2025
Technical Support for Detection and Prediction of Rainfall D. Hemavathi, V. Ramesh Kumar, R. Regin, S. Suman Rajest, Khongdet Phasinam, et al. Proceedings 2nd International Conference on Smart Electronics and Communication Icosec 2021, 2021
Equal distribution of shortages in supply chain problem of Food Corporation of India Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, 2018
The performances of process capability indices in the Six-Sigma competitiveness levels Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, 2018
Business strategy with exploratory & exploitative innovation: The analytics role from SMAC technology Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, 2018
Implementation of horizontal strategy for conglomerate firms: The role of five-factor model Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, 2018
Time table scheduling for educational sector on an egovernance platform: A solution from an analytics company Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, 2018
Relating left/right brained dominance types of leaders to TQM focus: A preliminary study Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, 2016
Exploring critical success factors for tqm implementation using interpretive structural modelling approach: Extract from case studies Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, 2016
The role of management control system in ERP project implementation Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, 2016
Facility and process layout analysis of an SME using simulation: A case study of a manufacturing company Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, 2016
Impact of ergonomics practices on operational performance in the Indian Post manual sorting centre–A case study SM Vadivel, AFM Sujath, PS Ponnuswamy, V Kumar Strategic Business Research, 100160 , 2026 2026
Identifying and prioritizing the critical success factors in the educational supply chain V Kumar, KZ Ya, R Raj International Journal of System Assurance Engineering and Management, 1-21 , 2026 2026
Understanding the health issues of mid-career crisis among working women S Patel, AK Chandra, PB Deshmukh, V Kumar Strategic Business Research, 100142 , 2026 2026
A Decision Support System for Estimating the Electric Vehicles Energy Consumption TG Reddy, KSH Reddy, G Praneetha, SM Vadivel, V Kumar, P Verma Strategic Business Research, 100133 , 2026 2026
Mapping the Landscape of Customer Engagement, Social Media and Technology: A Bibliometric Study N Singh, M Chhabra, T De, V Kumar, S Gupta, S Singh Strategic Business Research, 100129 , 2026 2026
Public Acceptance of Green Technologies in Emerging Economies: An Integrated Technology Readiness Perspective on Behavioural Drivers, Trust, and Policy Perception S Saiyed, V Kumar, P Verma, S Singh, A Yadav Strategic Business Research, 100120 , 2026 2026
Navigating global supply chain opportunities in IT outsourcing and offshoring R Raj, V Kumar, VK Verma Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 1-27 , 2026 2026
Investigating Ethical and Motivational Influences on Consumers’ willingness to Purchase the Refurbished Motorcycle Parts KK Lai, S Saiyed, V Kumar, N Almakayeel, A Al Owad, A Waaje Cleaner and Responsible Consumption, 100403 , 2026 2026 Citations: 1
Carbon Footprint Management as a Catalyst for Sustainable Industrial Practices P Ghosh, M Choudhury, AS Oberoi, J Ramkumar, V Kumar, M Gundwal Sustainable Development , 2026 2026
Circular Supply Chain Partnership Performance Indicators in the Paint and Coating Industry using a Sustainable Balanced Scorecard Framework AM Walawalkar, M Moslehpour, YT Negash, T Akhbar, V Kumar Cleaner Production Letters, 100136 , 2026 2026
Integrating quality 5.0 approaches for the future of quality management V Kumar, A Singh, N Sharma, P Verma The TQM Journal, 1-35 , 2026 2026
Way to environment-friendly business-rethinking the smartphone industry R Chawla, V Kumar Strategic Business Research, 100084 , 2026 2026 Citations: 1
Driving Circular Economy Transitions Through Strategic Green HRM and CSR: Insights From Manufacturing Industries S Saiyed, V Kumar, P Verma Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management , 2026 2026
Relating Cyber Security Budget to Organizational Strategy: An Empirical Analysis RRK Sharma, NK Vishvakarma, A Bajpai, V Kumar, S Sharma Journal of Computer and Communications 14 (1), 66-86 , 2026 2026
Mapping the Intellectual Landscape of Rural and Sustainable Entrepreneurship: A Bibliometric and TCCM‐Based Review D Kanth, AR Sinha, V Kumar, P Verma, DK Pathak Business Strategy and the Environment , 2026 2026
Exploring the Dynamics of Strategic Thinking through the Lens of National Cultural Dimensions: A Systematic Literature Review and Bibliometric Analysis P Verma, A Singh, V Kumar Strategic Business Research, 100048 , 2026 2026 Citations: 3
AI-Powered Text Mining for Strategic Knowledge Visioning and Innovation Management V Kumar, R Manekar, S Saiyed, P Verma, SK Gupta Proceedings of the International Conference on Operations & Supply Chain … , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Data-driven decisions in navigating complexity: A Blueprint for Re-imagining Supply Chain Performance in Technology Turbulence D Gupta Proceedings of the International Conference on Operations & Supply Chain … , 2025 2025
Analysis of Strategic Management Approach and Development of the Hotel Industry VV Ratna, A Jha, P Verma, V Kumar Strategic Business Research, 100033 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Relating the strategic role of marketing orientation in organizational TQM performance R Raj, V Kumar Benchmarking: An International Journal, 1-25 , 2025 2025
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
The transition from linear economy to circular economy for sustainability among SMEs: A study on prospects, impediments, and prerequisites NK Sharma, K Govindan, KK Lai, WK Chen, V Kumar Business Strategy and the Environment 30 (4), 1803-1822 , 2021 2021 Citations: 391
Analyzing the potential benefits and use cases of ChatGPT as a tool for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of business operations R Raj, A Singh, V Kumar, P Verma BenchCouncil Transactions on Benchmarks, Standards and Evaluations 3 (3), 100140 , 2023 2023 Citations: 224
The performance improvement analysis using Six Sigma DMAIC methodology: A case study on Indian manufacturing company A Mittal, P Gupta, V Kumar, A Al Owad, S Mahlawat, S Singh Heliyon 9 (3) , 2023 2023 Citations: 175
Identifying and prioritizing impediments of industry 4.0 to sustainable digital manufacturing: A mixed method approach P Verma, V Kumar, T Daim, NK Sharma, A Mittal Journal of Cleaner Production 356, 131639 , 2022 2022 Citations: 172
Forecasting technological positioning through technology knowledge redundancy: Patent citation analysis of IoT, cybersecurity, and Blockchain T Daim, KK Lai, H Yalcin, F Alsoubie, V Kumar Technological Forecasting and Social Change 161, 120329 , 2020 2020 Citations: 132
Leadership styles and their relationship with TQM focus for Indian firms: An empirical investigation V Kumar, RRK Sharma International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management 67 (6 … , 2018 2018 Citations: 128
Adoption of ICTs as an emergent business strategy during and following COVID-19 crisis: evidence from Indian MSMEs V Kumar, P Verma, A Mittal, JA Tuesta Panduro, S Singh, M Paliwal, ... Benchmarking: An International Journal 30 (6), 1850-1883 , 2023 2023 Citations: 124
Measuring the impact of digital entrepreneurship training on entrepreneurial intention: the mediating role of entrepreneurial competencies R Singh, V Kumar, S Singh, A Dwivedi, S Kumar Journal of Work-Applied Management , 2023 2023 Citations: 116
The study of remote working outcome and its influence on firm performance R Raj, V Kumar, NK Sharma, S Singh, S Mahlawat, P Verma Social Sciences & Humanities Open 8 (1), 100528 , 2023 2023 Citations: 109
Explaining the revival strategies of Indian MSMEs to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 outbreak S Singh, P Chamola, V Kumar, P Verma, N Makkar Benchmarking: An International Journal 30 (1), 121-148 , 2023 2023 Citations: 108
Conquering in emerging markets: critical success factors to enhance supply chain performance V Kumar, P Verma, RRK Sharma, AF Khan Benchmarking: An International Journal 24 (3), 570-593 , 2017 2017 Citations: 97
Combating deepfakes: Multi-LSTM and blockchain as proof of authenticity for digital media CCK Chan, V Kumar, S Delaney, M Gochoo 2020 IEEE/ITU International Conference on Artificial Intelligence for Good … , 2020 2020 Citations: 93
Relating management problem-solving styles of leaders to TQM focus: an empirical study V Kumar, R.R.K., Sharma The TQM Journal 29 (2), 218-239 , 2017 2017 Citations: 93
Addressing Strategic Human Resource Management Practices for TQM: The Case of an Indian Tyre Manufacturing Company P Verma, V Kumar, A Mittal, P Gupta, SC Hsu The TQM Journal , 2021 2021 Citations: 92
Assessing the role of creativity and motivation to measure entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial intention M Paliwal, BK Rajak, V Kumar, S Singh International Journal of Educational Management 36 (5), 854-874 , 2022 2022 Citations: 89
Designing Supply Chain Performance System: A Strategic Study on Indian Manufacturing Sector A Jha, RRK Sharma, V Kumar, P Verma Supply Chain Management: An International Journal , 2021 2021 Citations: 86
Consumers' perception on corporate social responsibility: Evidence from Vietnam YF Huang, MH Do, V Kumar Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management , 2019 2019 Citations: 83
A Structural Analysis Approach to Identify Technology Innovation and Evolution path: A Case of M-Payment Technology Ecosystem V Kumar, KK Lai, YH Chang, PC Bhatt, and Su, F.P. Journal of Knowledge Management , 2020 2020 Citations: 82
Sustainable reverse logistics practices and performance evaluation with fuzzy TOPSIS: A study on Indian retailers NK Sharma, V Kumar, P Verma, S Luthra Cleaner Logistics and Supply Chain 1, 100007 , 2021 2021 Citations: 81
Developing Leadership Styles and Green Entrepreneurial Orientation to Measure Organization Growth: A Study on Indian Green Organizations P Verma, V Kumar Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies , 2021 2021 Citations: 80