Tribute to Professor KN Krishnaswamy

This is my tribute to Professor KN Krishnaswamy (KNK) and his legacy on management research in the country. I joined DoMS IISc much after his retirement. During his time at the department he used to offer courses around Operations Research and Research Methodology.

My guide Prof M H Bala Subrahmanya held KNK in high regard and wanted my research proposal to be reviewed by him before the formal submission to the committee. This happened to be my first interaction with KNK, where he ironed out my conceptual framework by adding a key feedback loop, especially when evaluating ecosystems or analyzing evidence on policies. After this I did travel with him on a DST project evaluating incubators across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. I will always remember him for taking research directions seriously, openly, methodically and creatively.

One of my proud moments as a student was to organize KNK's last lecture at the department, covering what is still a contentious issue in any research endeavor around student attitude to research and the nature of relationship with the guide. I am taking this opportunity to open source that deck on OSF Integrated look at student research KN Krishaswamy https://osf.io/5rjhk

KNK was known for his book on management research methodology, and while teaching research he always left enough room for both systematic and creative thinking. And here is one of the last advices I got from KNK on research,

For every research problem you address, always attack with at least 2 methods (for e.g. quantitative with qualitative; OR with Case Study; Mixed methods in general). After having done this, find if the results are in similar/different lines and reflect on why they are so, then take utmost care to synthesize and communicate it clearly.

This KNK always insisted should be a standard exercise in all management research methodology classes. With this practice, both the phenomenon and the student get a fair treatment, while delivering new insights consistently.

Professor KNK's family was kind enough to let me take a book in memory from his library and I took what was on top of the pile, Selected Works of Professor Amulya KN Reddy edited by Balachandra Patil and https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/b-sudhakara-reddy-6081563/ . This volume also had 3 of KNK's papers co-written with AKN Reddy.