Sandeep Kumar Gupta

@siu.edu.in

Associate Professor and Management
Symbiosis International (Deemed University)

Sandeep Kumar Gupta


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https://researchid.co/skgupta
He earned his first PhD from Department of Industrial and Management Engineering, IIT Kanpur, India. He also holds MBA in finance from GBPUA&T, Pantnagar and M. Tech in Agricultural Engineering from IIT Kharagpur, India.

As an alumnus of IIT Kanpur and IIM Ahmadabad, I have 16 years of research and teaching experience.

EDUCATION

PhD, M.Tech, MBA

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

General Business, Management and Accounting, Management of Technology and Innovation, Strategy and Management, Multidisciplinary

FUTURE PROJECTS

Technological or Managerial Solutions to Support Farmers? An Exploratory Study


Applications Invited
Research Partner

Critical success factor for Renewable Energy projects in India


Applications Invited
25

Scopus Publications

1869

Scholar Citations

17

Scholar h-index

21

Scholar i10-index

Scopus Publications

  • The Role of Intermediaries in Influencing Leather Supply Chain Sustainability: Perspectives From India
    Sandeep K. Gupta, Sucheta Agarwal
    Business Strategy and Development, 2026
    The Indian leather sector, ranked second to China in terms of employment and exports, encounters considerable sustainability concerns. This study examines the function of intermediaries in promoting environmental and social sustainability throughout the leather industry's supply chain. We used a two‐phase approach; in the first phase, we applied a qualitative, case study‐based methodology with 15 respondents from Kanpur, Chennai, and Kolkata. We aimed to ascertain the performance metrics of intermediaries via thematic analysis. In the second phase, we employed the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to prioritize these parameters. Broadly, the findings reveal that intermediaries facilitate environmental compliance, ethical sourcing, market access, capacity building, and financial inclusion for MSMEs, positioning them as strategic agents of sustainable transformation rather than mere transactional entities. The strategic significance of intermediaries has been promoted through the integration of transaction cost theory and cluster theory. The study proposes a novel performance measurement framework for intermediaries, contributing to limited literature in this domain. It emphasizes the need for robust intermediary institutions and targeted public‐private investments to strengthen cluster development and enhance global competitiveness.
  • Impact of various structural attributes on B2B sustainability positioning
    Divya Gogia, Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Priya Rathi
    Journal of Business and Industrial Marketing, 2024
    Purpose In highly competitive environments, sustainability positioning is crucial for firms, as they are evaluated based on their sustainable practices. This study aims to draw on the legitimacy and information asymmetry theories to explore attributes that impact business-to-business (B2B) sustainability positioning in emerging economies, such as India, within the service industry. Design/methodology/approach This study used a mixed-methods exploratory research design to examine the attributes affecting sustainability positioning. In the first phase of the study, a qualitative research method was used to explore the attributes influencing B2B sustainability positioning. In the second phase, this study used these factors to develop a structural model. Findings A variety of attributes was critical in assessing the sustainability positioning of B2B firms. This study identified a number of factors that explain the attributes affecting sustainability positioning in B2B markets. Some of them included environmental consciousness and external assurance. Originality/value This study significantly contributes to the theoretical discourse on sustainable practices in B2B businesses in multiple ways. First, it provides empirical data on the relationship between firms’ environmental consciousness and sustainability positioning in the B2B context, thereby adding to and expanding the current literature on this topic. Second, this study investigates the impact of external assurance on B2B firms’ sustainability positioning and shows how it can enhance credibility, transparency and accountability. Finally, it analyzes sustainable positioning in the service sector, specifically in India, thereby contributing to the body of knowledge on this topic.
  • The pertinence of incorporating ESG ratings to make investment decisions: a quantitative analysis using machine learning
    Utkarsh Sharma, Akshat Gupta, Sandeep Kumar Gupta
    Journal of Sustainable Finance and Investment, 2024
    Global sustainability being the major goal ahead, socially conscious investors are concerned about non-financial dimensions of investments like impact on environment (E), social relations (S), and corporate governance (G). This research aims to answer whether including ESG data points is conducive to profitable investments while promoting sustainability. Web-scraped a unique dataset of ESG and key financial data of 1400+ companies from 34 stock markets internationally. Quantitative analysis is performed on this data with the aim of determining whether the qualitative aspect of sustainable investments is tantamount to financial parameters. Better ESG scores indicate better financial performance. Return on equity was 14% greater for top 10% ESG companies than bottom 10%. Prediction accuracy of ML models like linear, random forest regression increased when training data included both ESG and financial data. The research concludes with a propitious relationship between ESG data and financial growth parameters which are worth probing further.
  • Developing a framework for sacred grove management using stakeholder analysis: evidence from sacred groves in Gujarat, India
    Amit Pandey, Kavita Sardana, Sandeep Kumar Gupta
    Benchmarking, 2022
    PurposeThe purpose of this study is to use the framework of stakeholder analysis in a participatory democracy, used in forest management planning, for arriving at the best management option for selected sacred groves of Kachchh. This is achieved by accounting for economic, cultural and ecological values and the resulting outcomes in the complex institutional mechanism. Additionally, this study provides a framework for complex decision-making that characterizes the management of sacred groves involving multiple criteria and options accounting for multiple stakeholders that involve conflicting interests.Design/methodology/approachThe analytical hierarchy process was used to calculate the global priorities of management options using the relative importance of stakeholders, weights of different decision criteria to arrive at the best management practice for selected groves of Kachchh. The global priorities of management options rank management practices based on stakeholders' values and their effects on the choice of management strategy as well as on the potential to attain a compromise between competing interests. For this purpose, survey responses of 141 individuals belonging to seven different stakeholder categories were analyzed. Along with focus group discussions, and personal interviews, a stratified random sampling technique was used to survey respondents.FindingsBased on the global priority weights of the alternatives, it is determined that the restoration management option (guggal is restored by planting new guggal sapplings, cattle grazing is prohibited and high levels of ecosystem goods and services are provided) had the highest score, followed by the preservation management option (grazing is allowed on the periphery, juvenile guggal is preserved and moderate ecosystem goods and services are provided). Therefore, restoration of sacred groves is the best management practice of sacred groves in West Kachchh, offering a compromise between maximizing provision of ecosystem services and economic benefits in terms of allowing cattle grazing.Originality/valueThough there are several studies on best management practices for community-owned forests, irrigation systems, and pasture lands, and the role of local institutions in sustaining these common-pool resources; such studies for sacred groves are absent, despite sacred groves being one of the longest surviving common-pool resources that has sustained it over several decades. This is the first study that uses the framework of stakeholder analysis to arrive at the best management practice for sacred groves. The uniqueness of the study lies in a comprehensive evaluation of ecological–economic–cultural interests of multiple stakeholders toward management of sacred groves.
  • Guest editorial
    Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Shivam Gupta, Uthayasankar Sivarajah
    Management of Environmental Quality an International Journal, 2021
  • The Role of ESG in Sustainable Development: An Analysis Through the Lens of Machine Learning
    Akshat Gupta, Utkarsh Sharma, Sandeep Kumar Gupta
    2021 IEEE International Humanitarian Technology Conference Ihtc 2021, 2021
    With the ever-increasing environmental degradation, poor corporate governance, and social disharmony, adopting sustainable practices is imperative to ensure a prolonged and healthy quality of life. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing is a form of socially responsible investing promoting sustainability. ESG ratings quantitatively measure the sustainable practices of companies, with lower ratings meaning more sustainable practices adopted. With the goal of contributing to United Nations' sustainable development goal number 17, first, we present a methodology for creating a dataset that houses both ESG and financial parameters of publicly listed companies worldwide. Second, we present a framework for conducting statistical analysis and leveraging machine learning techniques to gauge the importance of ESG parameters for investment decisions and how they affect financial performance of firms. For companies with the best ESG ratings, ‘return on equity’ was found to be greater than rest of the companies. While using linear and random forest regression models, prediction accuracy of growth variables ‘profit margin’ and 'return on assets' increased when ESG data was used along with financial data as input. Companies having the highest 'profit margins' were the ones having the best ESG ratings. With this study, we hope to bolster worldwide collaboration for sustainable development.
  • Influences on purchase intentions of organic food consumers in an emerging economy
    Neeraj Dangi, Sapna A. Narula, Sandeep Kumar Gupta
    Journal of Asia Business Studies, 2020
    Purpose This paper aims to investigate the determinants of organic food buying behaviour in an emerging economy like India, where organic food yet has low market share in spite of its potential. Using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) as the underlying basis, it attempts to explain the effect of attitude, subjective norms and the perceived behaviour control (PBC) on buying intention towards organic food among respondents in Delhi-National capital region, India. Additionally, it attempts to discriminate functional and constructive attitudes. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative questionnaire survey approach was used on 306 respondents and multiple linear regression was used to validate the research model. Findings Attitudes and PBC have a significant positive impact on the intention to purchase organic food. This paper found subjective norms to be weak and barely significant to intention. The results conclude that health motives, past purchase behaviour, knowledge, affordability and trust in organic certification label are the main facilitators in organic food purchase. Primarily, the respondents see buying organic food regularly as being of value and enjoyable to them. A more favourable appearance vs conventional food was negatively related to behavioural intention. Originality/value This research could aid all stakeholders in the organic food sector, particularly emerging economies like India where the organic market is still nascent. It could be an essential driver to improve customer involvement and thus aid them in the decision-making process to choose organic food over conventional food. It also attempts to establish the usability of TPB in assessing functional attitudes based on constructive attitudes for organic food purchase.
  • Consumer buying behaviour and purchase intention of organic food: a conceptual framework
    Neeraj Dangi, Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Sapna A. Narula
    Management of Environmental Quality an International Journal, 2020
    PurposeThe paper aims to investigate existing research in factors impacting organic food purchase with special reference to eco-labels and identify the relative influence of various determinants.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual framework is proposed of organic food buying behaviour after analysing a sample of 154,072 consumers reported in 91 research studies from 2001–2020. The factors are categorised into four categories on the basis of relatedness. In addition, the factors were analysed based on time, region and national economic status.FindingsThe impact of consumer psychographics, socio-demographic and product-related factor categories were found to be more pronounced compared to supply-related factor category. The results show that among individual factors like health concern, environment concern, knowledge and awareness, eco-labels and price followed by trust in organic food are the most important factors in organic food purchase. The findings suggest that eco-labels increase trust in organic food by reducing information asymmetry in consumers. However, there were differences in perception and factors importance between high-income economies and emerging economies.Originality/valueThe study is unique, as it analyses secondary research based on criteria of high-income economies and emerging economies. The conceptual framework can also be incorporated further into different cognitive models like the theory of planned behaviour.
  • Reducing medication errors using LSS Methodology: A systematic literature review and key findings
    Yaifa Trakulsunti, Jiju Antony, Abhijeet Ghadge, Sandeep Gupta
    Total Quality Management and Business Excellence, 2020
    The paper aims to systematically review the literature on Lean, Six Sigma, Lean Six Sigma (LSS) intervention and its tools and techniques to reduce the medication errors in hospitals. Subject-specific journals according to the top journal ranking lists in the Business School and Healthcare sector were used for the assessment. Eight databases including Medline, PubMed, EBSCOhost, Web of Knowledge, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL and PsycINFO were used to collect relevant articles from the year 1996–2016. A total of 24 studies were identified have from the search meeting the criteria for the systematic literature review. Increased interest in the application of process excellence methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma and LSS to reduce medication errors especially from the developed countries was found. Several themes have emerged in this paper including: tools and techniques of Lean and Six Sigma in the context of medication errors, Lean and Six Sigma methodology, types of medication errors, LSS project selection, benefits, challenges and success factors. The study is expected to benefit healthcare practitioners in implementing the LSS methodology to reduce medication errors.
  • Lean Six Sigma for reducing student dropouts in higher education–an exploratory study
    Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Jiju Antony, Fabian Lacher, Jacqueline Douglas
    Total Quality Management and Business Excellence, 2020
    This paper investigates the potential causes behind student dropouts in higher education institutions (HEIs), and explores the use of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) tools in reducing dropout rates. This qualitative study used 12 semi-structured interviews with university employees (n = 9) and LSS experts (n = 3), in order to understand the complexity of the student dropout phenomenon and the role of various LSS tools in reducing the dropout rates. Analysis revealed that in order to develop a typology of student dropouts, HEIs have to maintain detailed records and sensitise relevant authorities about the impact of a student’s dropout decision. Though the small number of semi-structured interviews is a limitation of the study, the revelations of HEIs authorities and LSS experts have given new impetus to look at and take action on the issue of student dropouts in HEIs.
  • Veera Tanneries Private Limited: An Indian Leather Enterprise's Drive Towards Sustainability
    Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Sanjeev Gupta
    Asian Case Research Journal, 2019
  • An empirical study on productivity analysis of Indian leather industry
    Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Shivam Gupta, Pavitra Dhamija
    Benchmarking, 2019
  • Top ten reasons for process improvement project failures
    Jiju Antony, Sandeep Gupta
    International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, 2019
  • Closed loop value chain to achieve sustainable solution for tannery effluent
    Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Sanjeev Gupta
    Journal of Cleaner Production, 2019
  • A critical perspective on the changing patterns of Lean Six Sigma research
    Bryan Rodgers, Jiju Antony, Sandeep Gupta
    International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 2019
  • Enhancing performance properties of conventional leather finishing topcoat by incorporating metal oxide based formulations
    35th Iultcs Congress 2019 Benign by Design Leather the Future Through Science and Technology, 2019
  • Sustainable value creation from leather solid wastes: Preparation of shoe soling material using nano fillers
    35th Iultcs Congress 2019 Benign by Design Leather the Future Through Science and Technology, 2019
  • Systematic literature review of project failures: Current trends and scope for future research
    Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Angappa Gunasekaran, Jiju Antony, Shivam Gupta, Surajit Bag, David Roubaud
    Computers and Industrial Engineering, 2019
  • Interdependence among dimensions of sustainability: Evidence from the Indian leather industry
    Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Uday Shanker Racherla
    Management of Environmental Quality an International Journal, 2018
  • “Pollution prevention” is the key to drive sustainability: Preliminary findings from a tannery unit in India
    Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Sanjeev Gupta, S. Gayathiri
    Management of Environmental Quality an International Journal, 2018
  • Sustainability strategies in the Indian leather industry: an empirical analysis
    Sandeep Gupta, Shivam Gupta, Pavitra Dhamija, Surajit Bag
    Benchmarking, 2018
  • Ten commandments of Lean Six Sigma: a practitioners’ perspective
    Jiju Antony, Sandeep Gupta, Vijaya Sunder M., E.V. Gijo
    International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 2018
  • Six Sigma in healthcare: a systematic review of the literature
    Jiju Antony, Pruksathorn Palsuk, Sandeep Gupta, Deepa Mishra, Paul Barach
    International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, 2018
  • Effect of ISO 14000 certification on sustainability: Evidence from the indian leather industry
    Journal of Social Political and Economic Studies, 2016
  • Renewable energy certificate mechanism in India: A preliminary assessment
    Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Pallav Purohit
    Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2013

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • The Role of Intermediaries in Influencing Leather Supply Chain Sustainability: Perspectives from India
    SK Gupta, S Agarwal
    Business Strategy and Development , 2026
    2026
  • AI-Augmented Sustainability Management in Agri-food Supply Chain: Rethinking Decision-Making in the Era of Algorithms
    SK Gupta
    Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 2
  • The pertinence of incorporating ESG ratings to make investment decisions: a quantitative analysis using machine learning
    U Sharma, A Gupta, SK Gupta
    Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment 14 (1), 184-198 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 113
  • Impact of various structural attributes on B2B sustainability positioning
    D Gogia, SK Gupta, P Rathi
    Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 11
  • Identifying agility enablers in context of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): Conceptual framework
    P Rathi, SK Gupta, A Samvedi
    Journal of Statistics and Management Systems 13 (3), 21 , 2023
    2023
  • The role of ESG in sustainable development: An analysis through the lens of machine learning
    A Gupta, U Sharma, SK Gupta
    2021 IEEE international humanitarian technology conference (IHTC), 1-5 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 69
  • Developing a Framework for Sacred Grove Management using Stakeholder Analysis: Evidence from Sacred Groves in Gujarat, India
    A Pandey, K Sardana, SK Gupta
    Benchmarking: an International Journal, 10.1108/BIJ-11-2020-0599 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 2
  • Sharing Economy: Pathway to Sustainability?
    SK Gupta, S Gupta, U Sivarajah
    Management of Environmental Quality , 2021
    2021
  • Consumer Buying Behaviour and purchase intention of organic food: A conceptual framework
    N Dangi, SK Gupta, S Narula
    Management of Environmental Quality , 2020
    2020
    Citations: 229
  • Influences on purchase intentions of organic food consumers in an emerging economy
    N Dangi, S Narula, SK Gupta
    Journal of Asia Business Studies , 2020
    2020
    Citations: 130
  • Veera Tanneries Private Limited: An Indian Leather Enterprise’s Drive Towards Sustainability
    SK Gupta, S Gupta
    Asian Case Research Journal , 2019
    2019
    Citations: 2
  • Closed loop value chain to achieve sustainable solution for tannery effluent
    SK Gupta, S Gupta
    Journal of Cleaner Production , 2019
    2019
    Citations: 10
  • Systematic literature review of project failures: Current trends and scope for future research
    SK Gupta, A Gunasekaran, J Antony, S Gupta, S Bag, D Roubaud
    Computers & Industrial Engineering , 2019
    2019
    Citations: 222
  • An Empirical Study on Productivity Analysis of Indian Leather Industry
    SK Gupta, S Gupta, P Dhamija
    Benchmarking: an International Journal , 2019
    2019
    Citations: 39
  • “Pollution prevention” is the key to drive sustainability: Preliminary findings from a tannery unit in India
    S Kumar Gupta, S Gupta, S Gayathiri
    Management of Environmental Quality 29 (3), 416-426 , 2018
    2018
    Citations: 41
  • Reducing medication errors using LSS Methodology: A systematic literature review and key findings
    Y Trakulsunti, J Antony, A Ghadge, S Gupta
    Total Quality Management & Business Excellence , 2018
    2018
    Citations: 54
  • Top Ten Reasons for Process Improvement Project failures
    J Antony, S Gupta
    International Journal of Lean Six Sigma , 2018
    2018
    Citations: 202
  • Interdependence among dimensions of Sustainability: evidence from Indian Leather Industry
    S Gupta, U Racherla
    Management of Environmental Quality , 2018
    2018
    Citations: 39
  • Lean Six Sigma for reducing student dropouts in Higher Education – an exploratory study
    S Gupta, J Antony, F Lacher, J Douglas
    Total Quality Management & Business Excellence , 2017
    2017
    Citations: 126
  • A Critical Perspective on the changing patterns of Lean Six Sigma Research
    B Rodgers, J Antony, S Gupta
    International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management , 2017
    2017
    Citations: 14

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Consumer Buying Behaviour and purchase intention of organic food: A conceptual framework
    N Dangi, SK Gupta, S Narula
    Management of Environmental Quality , 2020
    2020
    Citations: 229
  • Systematic literature review of project failures: Current trends and scope for future research
    SK Gupta, A Gunasekaran, J Antony, S Gupta, S Bag, D Roubaud
    Computers & Industrial Engineering , 2019
    2019
    Citations: 222
  • Top Ten Reasons for Process Improvement Project failures
    J Antony, S Gupta
    International Journal of Lean Six Sigma , 2018
    2018
    Citations: 202
  • Six Sigma in Healthcare: A Systematic Review of the Literature
    J Antony, S Gupta, D Mishra
    International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management , 2017
    2017
    Citations: 202
  • Ten Commandments of Lean Six Sigma: a practitioners' perspective
    J Antony, S Gupta, VM Sunder, E Gijo
    International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management , 2017
    2017
    Citations: 155
  • Influences on purchase intentions of organic food consumers in an emerging economy
    N Dangi, S Narula, SK Gupta
    Journal of Asia Business Studies , 2020
    2020
    Citations: 130
  • Lean Six Sigma for reducing student dropouts in Higher Education – an exploratory study
    S Gupta, J Antony, F Lacher, J Douglas
    Total Quality Management & Business Excellence , 2017
    2017
    Citations: 126
  • The pertinence of incorporating ESG ratings to make investment decisions: a quantitative analysis using machine learning
    U Sharma, A Gupta, SK Gupta
    Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment 14 (1), 184-198 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 113
  • Renewable energy certificate mechanism in India: a preliminary assessment
    SK Gupta, P Purohit
    Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 22, 380-392 , 2013
    2013
    Citations: 85
  • The role of ESG in sustainable development: An analysis through the lens of machine learning
    A Gupta, U Sharma, SK Gupta
    2021 IEEE international humanitarian technology conference (IHTC), 1-5 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 69
  • Reducing medication errors using LSS Methodology: A systematic literature review and key findings
    Y Trakulsunti, J Antony, A Ghadge, S Gupta
    Total Quality Management & Business Excellence , 2018
    2018
    Citations: 54
  • Sustainability Strategies in the Indian Leather Industry: An Empirical Analysis
    SK Gupta, S Gupta, P Dhamija, S Bag
    Benchmarking An International Journal , 2017
    2017
    Citations: 49
  • “Pollution prevention” is the key to drive sustainability: Preliminary findings from a tannery unit in India
    S Kumar Gupta, S Gupta, S Gayathiri
    Management of Environmental Quality 29 (3), 416-426 , 2018
    2018
    Citations: 41
  • An Empirical Study on Productivity Analysis of Indian Leather Industry
    SK Gupta, S Gupta, P Dhamija
    Benchmarking: an International Journal , 2019
    2019
    Citations: 39
  • Interdependence among dimensions of Sustainability: evidence from Indian Leather Industry
    S Gupta, U Racherla
    Management of Environmental Quality , 2018
    2018
    Citations: 39
  • Development of solar electricity supply system in India: an overview
    SK Gupta, RS Anand
    Journal of solar energy 2013 (1), 632364 , 2013
    2013
    Citations: 33
  • Detection of dilution of milk with the help of glass transition temperature by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
    TK Goswami, SK Gupta
    African Journal of Food Science 2, 7-10 , 2008
    2008
    Citations: 26
  • A Critical Perspective on the changing patterns of Lean Six Sigma Research
    B Rodgers, J Antony, S Gupta
    International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management , 2017
    2017
    Citations: 14
  • Effect of ISO 14000 Certification on Sustainability: Evidence from the Indian leather industry
    SK Gupta, US Racherla
    Journal for Social, Political, and Economic Studies 41 (1), 34-50 , 2016
    2016
    Citations: 14
  • Impact of various structural attributes on B2B sustainability positioning
    D Gogia, SK Gupta, P Rathi
    Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 11