BENGALURU — Addressing critical workforce challenges in startup management and organizational behavior, ISBR Business School announced the successful completion of the Final Public Viva Voce Examination of Mr. Venkatesh R (Reg. No. FPM17–2021) on September 30, 2026, at its Electronics City campus in Bengaluru. Following his successful defense, the Doctoral Committee recommended awarding him the Fellow in Management, an AICTE-approved doctoral-level degree.
FPM Final Public Viva Voce: Event Overview
| Parameter | Details |
| Academic Programme | Fellow Programme in Management (FPM) |
| Scholar & Registration | Mr. Venkatesh R (FPM17–2021) |
| Milestone Event | Final Public Viva Voce Examination |
| Date & Venue | September 30, 2026 | ISBR Business School, Electronics City, Bengaluru |
| Research Title | Downside of Layoffs in Startups & Its Effect on Employee Motivation & Commitment |
| Research Guide & Chairperson | Dr. M. R. Jhansi Rani (Professor & Director – Research Centre, ISBR Business School) |
| External Examiner | Dr. Noor Firdoos Jahan |
| Degree Recommended | Fellow in Management (AICTE-Approved Doctoral Level Degree) |
Key Highlights of the FPM Final Public Viva Voce
1. Research Scope & Key Findings
The study, titled “Downside of Layoffs in Startups & Its Effect on Employee Motivation & Commitment,” makes a significant contribution to Human Resource Management, Employee Motivation, Organizational Behavior, and Startup Management. The research provides critical empirical insights into the negative side effects of corporate downsizing in early-stage ventures, examining survivor morale, psychological safety, and managerial strategies to preserve employee dedication during times of restructuring.
2. Comprehensive Defense & Rigorous Evaluation
During the Viva Voce defense, Mr. Venkatesh R presented his research objectives, theoretical foundations, methodology, findings, conclusions, and practical implications. He satisfactorily addressed all questions, observations, and critical inputs raised by the Doctoral Committee and attendees, demonstrating strong conceptual understanding, methodological competence, and expertise in startup human resource management.
3. Doctoral Examination Committee
The defense was evaluated by a committee of academic leaders and research faculty:
- Dr. M. R. Jhansi Rani – Chairperson & Research Guide (Professor & Director – Research Centre, ISBR Business School)
- Dr. Noor Firdoos Jahan – External Examiner
- Dr. K. S. Anandaram – Senior Director, ISBR Business School
- Dr. Padma Mahadevan – RAC Member 1 (Professor, ISBR Business School)
- Dr. Miral Jani – RAC Member 2 (Assistant Professor, ISBR Business School)
Recommendation for AICTE-Approved Doctoral Degree
Based on the successful Viva Voce defense and the academic quality of the research, the Doctoral Committee recommended awarding the Fellow in Management, an AICTE-approved doctoral-level degree, to Mr. Venkatesh R. This achievement highlights ISBR Business School’s commitment to advancing impactful, industry-relevant research in human resource strategy and startup governance.
