Abrar Ali Saiyed is specializing in Entrepreneurship and Strategy, currently serving as a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) of International Business and Entrepreneurship at the University of Glasgow's Adam Smith School of Business. Before joining the University of Glasgow, he was an Assistant Professor at Ozyegin University, Istanbul, Turkey, and prior to that, he held the same position at the Amrut Mody School of Management, Ahmedabad University, India. His academic journey includes earning a Fellowship in Management (Ph.D.) from the esteemed Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA), India.

His expertise spans strategic management, entrepreneurship, and international business, enriched by teaching experiences across various prestigious institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) in Ahmedabad, Calcutta, Indore, Shillong, Kashipur, Sambalpur, Jammu, and Trichy. Abrar's innovative teaching methodologies have garnered attention, notably his highly regarded courses "Sociology of Bazaar" and "Entrepreneurship Through Practice," which have been recognized in leading Indian newspapers. His commitment to excellence in education was acknowledged with the Chairman's Best Teacher Award from Ahmedabad University in 2018-19.

Abrar extends his expertise beyond academia, actively engaging with diverse sectors. He has conducted training programs for craft artisans in Gujarat's Kutch region and mentored numerous SMEs, family businesses, executives from top corporations, and scientists/R&D managers from leading research institutions.

His research pursuits focus on entrepreneurial practices within traditional business communities and the challenges faced by marginalized communities and entrepreneurs. He studies issues of innovation and internationalization within SMEs, family businesses, and entrepreneurial firms. His research is primarily based on his community and social work. Abrar has showcased his research prowess through presentations at prestigious conferences and secured research grants from reputable entities such as EIT HEI, Azim Premji University, DFID UK, and Ramapo College of New Jersey. He has contributed to esteemed journals, including the Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Journal of Business Research, and International Business Review, among others, and serves as a reviewer for several international journals.

In recognition of his efforts, Abrar published a pioneering report on Muslim Entrepreneurs in India, funded by Azim Premji University. He actively participates in initiatives related to technology, innovation, and economic research, affiliating with renowned institutions such as the Center for Technology, Innovation, and Economic Research and serving as a subject expert in MSME panels of CII Gujarat.

Notably, Abrar is dedicated to fostering leadership in Indian Muslim women as the affiliated expert and facilitator of the LedBy Foundation. His consultancy experience spans over 12 years, collaborating with a diverse array of organizations, including MNCs, NGOs, governmental bodies, SMEs, and startups, driving impactful change and growth.

His entrepreneurial spirit shines through his founding roles in organizations such as the Heritage Club at IIM Ahmedabad and the Association of Muslim Entrepreneurs, providing guidance and mentorship to over 10,000 members. His commitment to promoting entrepreneurship is further highlighted by his involvement in programs supported by the US Consulate General India, focusing on women entrepreneurs and madrassa teacher training.

In 2021, Abrar secured a substantial grant of 1.2 million euros for the HEI Initiative: Innovation Capacity Building for Higher Education, led by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). As a key figure in this initiative, he is spearheading efforts in Turkey to establish an entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem for international students, aiming to train 150 students and support the creation of eight startups.

He was selected for the International Visitor Leadership Program funded by the US Government for his social and community work to uplift minority schools in Gujarat state, Ahmedabad.

Areas of expertise:

• Entrepreneurship in Marginalized Communities (Ethnic and Religious Minorities, and Women)
• Grassroots Innovation/ Social Innovation
• Innovation/ Internationalization in SMEs in Emerging Economies
• International Entrepreneurship/International New Ventures
• Entrepreneurship in Challenging socio-political contexts
• Religion and Entrepreneurship

Selected publications

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Prior publications

1. Displacement and transience as identity: An ethnographic study of Muslim communities in exile in Gujarat, India  (2013-2014): Abrar Ali Saiyed, Ruma Sen (Ramapo College of NJ, USA) (Funded by Ramapo College)
2. Enabling innovation and productivity growth in low-income countries to grant awarded by the department of international development (DFDI) and organized by Tilburg University (December 2016-June 2017): Jaap Voeten (Tilburg University, Netherlands) and Abrar Ali Saiyed (only for India Data)
3. Politics, Religion, and Entrepreneurship: Changing political contexts in India and its Impact on Muslim Entrepreneurs Funded by Azim Premji Foundation/ Azim Premji University (2020-2021): Abrar Ali Saiyed
4. Identity and Entrepreneurship: Muslim Entrepreneurs in Leather and Meat Industries in India Funded by GMAA, Chicago (2022-2023): Abrar Ali Saiyed
5. GRANT FOR DEVELOPING ENTREPRENEURIAL AND INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN TURKEY (2021-2023)

Received a grant of 1.2 Million euros for HEI Initiative: Innovation Capacity Building for Higher Education. The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) launched the HEI Initiative. The HEI focuses on helping higher education institutions build the capacity to innovate and teach innovation and entrepreneurship. More specifically, the initiative encourages these institutions to look at their practices and develop concrete actions to increase their impact on their ecosystems. This grant will be used by a consortium of four universities, including Ozyegin University. Leading the project in Turkey, we created an entrepreneurial and innovative ecosystem for international Students in Turkey. We trained 150 students and support eight start-ups started by international students.

• Prasasti, Arum
  Social Media Marketing For Innovation and Competitiveness in a Women-Led SMEs in Rural Indonesia
• Usmayanti, Vivi
  Social and Cultural Barriers to Women's Participation in Digital Entrepreneurship

PhD Thesis Topic: Topic: Relationship between the Role of Business Angels and Stages of Startups: A Resource Dependency Theory Perspective (2018-2023) ( Ahmedabad University)

MGT5180 - International Entrepreneurship & Innovation (PG-Core course, S1) 

MGT5179-Global Business Environment (PG-Core course, S1) 

MGT5056- Multinational Management (PG-Core course, S2) 

MGT5406- International Business and Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies (PG-Elective, S2) 

PAPER PUBLISHED

• Saiyed, A. A., Shaikh, A., & Gupta, S. (2023). Entrepreneurial marketing strategy in craft-based businesses in an emerging market: a qualitative interpretivist approach. Journal of Research in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. (ABDC B)
• Saiyed, A. A., Wierenga, M., Fernhaber, S. A., & Nummela, N. (2023). From grassroots to international markets: A qualitative study of marginalized entrepreneurs in India. International Business Review, 32(5), 102163. (ABDC A and ABS 3*)
• Saiyed, A. A., Tatoglu, E., Ali, S., & Dutta, D. K. (2023). Entrepreneurial orientation, CEO power and firm performance: an upper echelons theory perspective. Management Decision, 61(6), 1773-1797. (ABDC B and ABS 2)
• Saiyed, A.A, Eryarsoy, E., Mondal, A., & Dhandapani, K. (2023). Business group affiliation and internationalization of new ventures: Moderating role of industry and liberalization. Journal of Business Research, 157, 113610. (ABDC A, ABS 3*)
• Banerjee, S., Zattoni, A., & Saiyed, A.A. (2022). Dominant-owner CEOs, board of directors and firm performance in emerging economies: Exploring the moderating impact of quad-qualified directors. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 1-36. (ABDC A, ABS 3)
• Mostafiz, M. I., Musteen, M., Saiyed, A.A, & Ahsan, M. (2022). COVID-19 and the global value chain: Immediate dynamics and long-term restructuring in the garment industry. Journal of Business Research, 139, 1588-1603. (ABDC A and ABS 3*)
• Saiyed, A. A., & Ricard, A. (2021). Entrepreneurial characteristics and internationalisation of new ventures: a study of cognitive factors. Journal for Global Business Advancement, 14(2), 166-191.
• Saiyed, A. A., Fernhaber, S. A., Basant, R., & Dhandapani, K. (2021). The internationalization of new ventures in an emerging economy: The shifting role of industry concentration. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 38(4), 1467-1497. (ABDC A and ABS 3)
• Ayob, A. H., & Saiyed, A. A. (2020). Islam, institutions, and entrepreneurship: evidence from Muslim populations across nations. International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management, 13(4), 635-653. (ABDC B and ABS 2)
• Saiyed, A. A. M. (2019). The role of leadership in business model innovation: a case of an entrepreneurial firm from India. New England Journal of Entrepreneurship, 22(2), 70-88. (ABDC C)
• Saiyed, A. A., Basalingappa, A., & Sinha, P. K. (2016). Value network in heritage walks: case studies of Ahmedabad city walks. Journal of Heritage Management, 1(2), 191-204.
• Ricard, A., & Saiyed, A. A. (2015). Attitude toward internationalization and early internationalization: Comparison of Indian and French SMEs' decision makers. M@ n@ gement, 18(1), 54-77. (ABCD B and ABS 2)

REPORT, BOOK CHAPTER & ARTICLE PUBLISHED

• A qualitative study on Innovation in Manufacturing Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in India: Exploration of Policy and Research Issues. Tilburg: Tilburg University.: Jaap Voeten and Abrar Ali Saiyed
• Waqf and the economics and the politics of heritage management in Ahmedabad Cross Section edited by Jigna Desai and Iñigo Cornago (CEPT University Press)
• Condition of Muslim Entrepreneurs in India: In Changing Socio-Political Environment: Abrar Ali Saiyed (Funded by Azim Premji University)
• Innovation in Manufacturing Sector in India (CTIER Publication): Rakesh Basant, Pankaj Chandra, Janak Naber, Abrar Ali Saiyed, and Vaishnavi Dande
• Evaluation of Maharashtra Startup Week Program (CTIER Publication): Swati Joshi, Dipti Singhania, Abrar Ali Saiyed, Madhurjya Deka and Janak Nabar

Project 1: HEI Initiative: Innovation Capacity Building for Higher Education.

Month and year: 2021-2023

Location: Turkey

Client: HEI EIT

Positions held: Researcher/Consultant

Project 2: Evaluation of Maharashtra Startup Week Program (CTIER Publication)

Month and year: 2020-2021

Location: India

Client: Center for Technology, Innovation, and Economic Research

Positions held: Researcher/Consultant

Project 3: Innovation in Manufacturing Sector in India (CTIER Publication)

Month and year: 2020-2021

Location: India

Client: Maharashtra State and Innovation Society, Center for Technology, Innovation, and Economic Research

Positions held: Researcher/Consultant 

Project 4: A qualitative study on Innovation in Manufacturing Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in India: Exploration of Policy and Research Issues.

Month and year: 2016-2017

Location: Gujarat India

Client: DFID UK and Tilburg University

Positions held: Researcher

Publications: Voeten, J., & Saiyed, A. A. (2017). India: Qualitative study on Innovation in Manufacturing Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs): Exploration of Policy and Research Issues. Studying Innovation in Manufacturing sector in MSMEs in Gujarat, India

Project 5: Report on 10% Sample Survey on MSMEs of Gujarat state

Month and year: 2013-2014

Location: Gujarat, India

Clients: INTEXb

Main project features:

Positions held: Consultant