Educator and dairy farmer: the psychological empowerment of entrepreneur V.G. Jayakrishnan

Abstract

Theoretical basis

The psychological empowerment theory of intrinsic motivation is the primary theoretical basis for the case. Other theories discussed include personality theories and transformational leadership theory.

Research methodology

This is a field-researched case, based on face to face interviews with V.G. Jayakrishnan. The author also visited Jayakrishnan’s institution and attended an event there. The author also relied upon archival data in the form of newspaper reports: both print and video. The case is based on events before July 31, 2017.

Case overview/synopsis

This case examines how entrepreneur V.G. Jayakrishnan, between 1995–2017, set up two successful, yet distinct businesses, namely, ICD (Institute for Career Development), a leading banking test prepping center in Kerala, India and JK Farms, a state-of-the-art dairy farm. Jayakrishnan’s vision and ability to think far ahead of his competition led to ICD becoming one of the most successful banking test prep centers in Kerala, India. Similarly, Jayakrishnan’s vision of scientific dairy farming allowed him to set up the state of the art JK Farms. The case allows students to examine the concepts of intrinsic motivation and transformational leadership.

Complexity academic level

The case can be used both at the graduate and undergraduate levels. At the graduate level, it can be used at the beginning of any leadership class to foster discussion about intrinsic motivation and transformational leadership. At the undergraduate level, it would be better positioned at the middle of the organizational behavior course after the students have discussed the chapters on motivation, leadership and personality in principal textbooks (Colquitt, LePine and Wesson, McGraw Hill, 2018).

Citation

Shivarajan, S. (2021), "Educator and dairy farmer: the psychological empowerment of entrepreneur V.G. Jayakrishnan", , Vol. 17 No. 1, pp. 7-21. https://doi.org/10.1108/TCJ-09-2018-0105