Title: The influence of CEO attributes on strategic orientation towards R&D and strategic fit in Indian public sector units

Authors: Rajashekar G. Mench; Virupaxi Bagodi; Venkatesh A. Raikar

Addresses: Industrial and Production Engineering Department, BVB College of Engineering and Technology, HUBLI – 580031, Karnataka, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Government Engineering College, HAVERI – 580031, Karnataka, India ' Government Engineering College, 1st Floor, Govt. Polytechnic Campus, KARWAR – 581301, Karnataka, India

Abstract: Chief executive officers play a vital role in the strategic initiatives regarding R&D and innovation, and to ensure strategic fit. In the globalised environment, focus on research and development is more important to gain competitive advantage. Hence, this work is carried out to understand and explore the influence of CEO on the strategic orientation in Indian public sector units. An empirical study was conducted, using research instrument designed to survey CEOs, in public sector units. Data collected from 74 public sector units were analysed using multiple regression and correlation. The analysis indicated that CEO characteristics, job attitude, and focus towards R&D influence the formulation of R&D vision in Indian PSUs, weakly. In addition, the study also revealed various other factors of importance that must have been the major concerns for the sickness of many public sector units. The study unveils the probable reasons for lack of growth in the sector.

Keywords: Chief Executive Officers; CEO attributes; strategic orientation; R&D; research and development; strategic fit; public sector; India; innovation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJICBM.2014.057951

International Journal of Indian Culture and Business Management, 2014 Vol.8 No.1, pp.107 - 123

Published online: 07 Jun 2014 *

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