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Prof. Dr. V. G. R. Chandran Govindaraju is Professor of Industrial Development at the Department of Development Studies, Faculty of Business and Economics, Universiti Malaya. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics and has extensive experience in academic research, policy analysis, consultancy and industry engagement. He previously served as Principal Analyst of Economic and Policy Studies at the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), under the Prime Minister's Department, Malaysia. His research focuses on innovation, technological development, trade, globalisation and industrial development, with particular emphasis on understanding the dynamics of structural transformation, technological upgrading and the competitiveness of firms and industries. His research and professional engagements span eight interconnected areas: (i) Industrial Development and Structural Transformation; (ii) Innovation, Technology Development and Open Innovation; (iii) International Trade, Globalisation and Global Value Chains; (iv) Institutional Economics; (v) Social Innovation and Social Enterprises; (vi) Digitalisation, Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work; (vii) Sustainable Industrial Development and the Green Economy; and (viii) Firm Capabilities, Productivity and Competitiveness. These areas reflect his continuing interest in understanding how technological, institutional and economic changes shape industrial development and the broader development process.
His empirical research has covered a broad range of sectors, including electrical and electronics, automotive, food, chemicals, oil palm, machinery, iron and steel, information and communications technology (ICT), and the emerging renewable energy sector. He has extensive field research experience across Asia, having undertaken research and industry engagements in Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, India, China, Thailand and Malaysia. His work draws on firm-level investigations and industry studies to understand the processes, challenges and opportunities associated with technological development, innovation and industrial transformation.Over the years, his research interests have evolved to encompass emerging areas of economic and industrial development, including social innovation and social enterprises, the role of newly emerging enterprises in addressing socioeconomic challenges, and the application of open innovation. He has also undertaken research on non-tariff measures (NTMs), particularly regulatory and procedural requirements that may constrain firms' participation and integration into global value chains (GVCs). More recently, his work has expanded towards digitalisation, artificial intelligence, automation, the future of work, ESG adoption and sustainable industrial development.Beyond academia, he has worked as a consultant and research expert for various international organisations, including the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). He has also undertaken numerous research and consultancy assignments for government agencies and industry organisations. He has also received various national and international research grants, including support under the European Union's Horizon 2020 programme and research funding associated with IDR, Canada.
An important dimension of his work is its contribution to public policy formulation and regulatory reform. His research and policy engagements have informed government policy documents and contributed to policy changes in Malaysia, particularly in the areas of science, technology and innovation (STI), industrial development and regulatory reform. He has worked closely with various national institutions, including the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Economic Planning Unit (EPU), Academy of Sciences Malaysia, Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), MIGHT, the Prime Minister's Department and the Malaysian Productivity Corporation (MPC). His engagements have also extended to state-level policy development through institutions such as the Institute Darul Ridzuan. His engagement with industry is primarily through applied research, strategic studies, industry assessments and the provision of expert opinions on issues relating to technological development, innovation, industrial competitiveness and policy challenges. Through these engagements, he seeks to bridge academic research, industry perspectives and public policy, ensuring that research findings contribute to a better understanding of industrial development and the formulation of effective development strategies. His broader academic and professional interests lie in understanding how economies, industries and firms develop and strengthen their productive and technological capabilities, and how institutions and public policies can facilitate structural transformation and sustainable development, particularly in Malaysia and the wider Asian region.
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Books
I provide independent, specialist advice and/or implementation support to various organizations namely the industry, government and international organizations. Selected list (ongoing & completed projects) as below (more in my CV).
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Faculty of Business and Economics, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur