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Strategic Management Lessons from the Ramayana: A Contemporary Approach to Leadership, Sustainability, and AI Integration

Author

Listed:
  • Shamuni Kunjiapu

    (Associate Professor, Faculty of Accountancy, Management & Research Associate, Asia-Europe Institute, university Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

  • Navaratnam Vejaratnam

    (Faculty of Accountancy, Management & Economics, New Era University College, Kajang, Malaysia)

  • Theepa Paramasivam

    (Faculty of Accountancy, Management & Economics, New Era University College, Kajang, Malaysia)

  • Rajennd Muniady

    (Faculty of Accountancy, Management & Economics, New Era University College, Kajang, Malaysia)

Abstract

The Ramayana, a central text in Hindu tradition, offers timeless wisdom on leadership, duty, and ethical decision-making. This paper analyses the applicability of Ramayana’s teachings to contemporary strategic management processes along the four phases of strategic management: environmental analysis, strategy formulation, strategy implementation and evaluation. It explores how principles from the epic, exemplified by the leadership qualities of Lord Rama, align with contemporary theories such as transformational leadership, servant leadership, and the Balanced Scorecard. Moreover, this paper includes perspectives on contemporary challenges of the world, such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the national agenda and artificial intelligence (AI) in decision making. Using a qualitative content analysis method, the paper illustrates how the wisdom of the ancients can guide the leadership of the 21st century in the form of a holistic framework, generally for sustainability, ethical governance, and strategic decision-making.

Suggested Citation

  • Shamuni Kunjiapu & Navaratnam Vejaratnam & Theepa Paramasivam & Rajennd Muniady, 2025. "Strategic Management Lessons from the Ramayana: A Contemporary Approach to Leadership, Sustainability, and AI Integration," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 9(8), pages 5082-5095, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:9:y:2025:issue-8:p:5082-5095
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. United Nations UN, 2015. "Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," Working Papers id:7559, eSocialSciences.
    2. Denise Parris & Jon Peachey, 2013. "A Systematic Literature Review of Servant Leadership Theory in Organizational Contexts," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 113(3), pages 377-393, March.
    3. Sen Sendjaya & James C. Sarros & Joseph C. Santora, 2008. "Defining and Measuring Servant Leadership Behaviour in Organizations," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(2), pages 402-424, March.
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