Designing Pedagogical Innovation in Management Education Insights from Indian Scripture for Job fit, Team Building and Leadership

This study explores innovative pedagogical approaches in teaching organizational behaviour to first-year MBA students at Annamalai University, conducted during October-November 2024. The study integrates storytelling, simulation, and case analysis, juxtaposing modern business practices with insights from Indian scriptures. Fifty students participated in activities designed to enhance learning through thematic instruments combining visuals and narratives from contemporary trends and traditional scriptures. The methodology involved three key sections: (i) personality assessments for job and company fit using Myers and Briggs’s MBTI, OCEAN Big Five traits, and Holland’s RIASEC models, (ii) work group simulations using the Buyer-Utility Experience Map to explore new opportunities, and (iii) case analysis of leadership behaviour, focusing on powers and politics. Students were briefed ten days in advance, allowing preparation for classroom engagement with a dual focus on modern practices and traditional insights. The findings highlighted improved job and company fit profiling when modern practices were supplemented with scriptural insights. Group dynamics in simulations revealed how cultural and philosophical influences shaped problem-solving approaches. Students drew valuable parallels between contemporary corporate leaders and figures from Indian scriptures, emphasizing universal leadership traits. A strong correlation was observed between participation in these activities and enhanced learning outcomes, reflected in higher internal test scores. The study demonstrates that blending modern pedagogies with traditional wisdom fosters deeper understanding, engagement, and holistic development in management education, offering a robust framework for integrating cultural relevance into business teaching practices.