60 Seconds With:
Reprint of Rome News-Tribune article
12/30/2002
John Willis
Name: Krishna S. Dhir
Age: 58
Education: B. Tech in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology at Bombay, India; M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Michigan State University; M.B.A. from the University of Hawaii; and D.B.A. and Ph.D. Administrative Policy and Management Science from the University of Colorado.
Institution:CampbellSchool of Business at BerryCollege. The Campbell school offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in business administration disciplines.
What do you see happening in the U.S. economy?: The market is in a soft patch. Corporate earnings are improving, but the market is still very emotional. To the emotions, add the worries of war in Iraq and the effects of large scale, widespread and shameful corporate scandals. Nevertheless, the American people are heroically pushing the economy toward recovery through their spending.
How is that affecting business?: The Equity market remains speculative. The widely invested baby-boomers are now bewildered, and worried about their retirement. Investors are looking only a day or two ahead. Many are content to sit on their hands. As a result, professionals seeking short-term gains, mainly from dealing in derivatives, are driving the market.
What is the most surprising business trend you have seen in the past three years?: I am surprised by the scale and enormity or corporate scandals.
How has business education changed in that time?: Increasingly, our stakeholders are looking for relevance in what is taught in business schools. We are being held accountable for relevance and quality. Business schools have responded with mission-driven ongoing improvement of the educational process.
What short-term changes do you see ahead for the Campbell School of Business?: Campbell School of Business is a professional school that has done through dramatic renewal over the past six years. We are actively seeking to be accredited by the Association of Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
What is the long-term outlook for the school?: The country needs creative young minds that understand the nature or emerging knowledge economy, and are familiar with the implications of global conduct of business. The country needs honest captains of industry who are committed to improving human condition. Berry is the right kind of institution to take on these challenges.
What do you see as Northwest Georgia’s greatest strength?: Northwest Georgia has a diverse economy. Its major manufactures include textiles and textile products, transportation equipment, foods, paper products, chemicals, health care and education. The region is a major producer of lumber and pulpwood. Northwest Georgia is well situated to attract new businesses. It is in the heartland of the dynamic Southeast region of the United States, which represents one-fifth of our country’s gross national product.
What do you see as the region’s greatest weakness? How would you address it?: We need to address the old economy industries through education, skill development, innovation and modernization. The new, knowledge-based economy requires people who can function as supervisors, task managers, technologists and professionals.
What experience best prepared you for your career?: I learned to do research at Borg-Warner Chemicals in West Virginia, where I was manager of their pilot plant. I experienced the practical aspects of corporate strategy at Ciba-Geigy Ag in Basle, Switzerland, where I worked in the Pharmaceutical Division. Serving on the faculty at the University of Colorado, University of Denver, The Citadel and PennState helped.
Who had the biggest influence on your career?: Three individuals taught me much about being a professional. One was a mathematician, who ran the vast network of Indian Railways as its chief operating officer. He was my father, H.D. Dhir. Another was a highly decorated naval aviator who commanded an aircraft carrier. He was my brother, Captain R.D. Dhir of the Indian Navy. My teacher at the University of Colorado, Dr. Claude McMillan emphasized the importance of making a difference. He remains my mentor and friend to this day.