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Krishna Balthu

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Krishna Balthu

Dr

 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9468-7541

Personal profile

Contact Details

Telephone: 0121 204 3290

Email: [email protected]

Qualifications

  • PhD, Aston University. Thesis: Applying Systems Thinking to Improve Professional Service Operations (2021)
  • PGCert in Higher Education Learning and Teaching, Aston University (2019)
  • MBA, Cardiff School of Management (2010).
  • Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, India (2007).

Continuing Professional Development

  • The Wharton Global Faculty Development Programme, University of Pennsylvania (2022)
  • Executive Education, Harvard Business School. ‘Managing & Transforming Professional Service Firms’. (2013),
  • Level 5 Certificate in Management & Leadership, Chartered Management Institute (CMI), UK (2012).
  • Prince 2 Practitioner, APMG, UK (2012).

Research Interests

  • Process Design and Improvement
  • Change Management
  • Professional Service Operations Management
  • Applications of Systems Thinking and Soft Systems Methodology
  • Action Research

Teaching Activity

  • BN301D and BN3360 – Effective Management Consultancy
  • BB0BMG – Business Model Generation
  • BN2218 and BNM833 – Managing Service Operations
  • BN1157 – Principles of Operations Management
  • BN2236 – Virtual Business Simulation

Employment

  • Lecturer, Aston Business School (2022 - Present)
  • Teaching Fellow, Aston Business School. (2018 - 2022)
  • Organisational Change & Projects Manager, Higgs LLP, UK (2013 - 2018)
  • Service Development Executive (KTP Associate), Aston University and Higgs LLP, UK. (2011 - 2013)
  • Business Analyst, Birmingham City University. (2010 - 2011)
  • Research Assistant, Cardiff University, Funded by EPSRC (April 2010 - July 2010)
  • Research Assistant, Cardiff University, Funded by EPSRC (2009 - 2010)
  • Software Engineer, Infosys Technologies Ltd, India. (2007 - 2009)

Membership of Professional Bodies

  • Fellow, Higher Education Academy, UK (2019 - Present)
  • Member, European Operations Management Association. (2019 - Present)
  • Member, British Academy of Management. (2012 - Present)
  • Associate Member, Chartered Management Institute. (2011 - Present)

Funding Applications and Awards

2025 - 2026

UK-Kenya University Partnerships: Learning and Design Lab funded by British Council. Project value: £43k over 6 months. Role: PI (Aston lead). Application shortlisted.

2025 - 2026

Going Global Partnerships Industry Academia Collaborative Top Up Grant. Funded by British Council. Facilitating Circular Economy adoption in Indian SMEs. £30k, over 6 months. Co-I with Prof Prasanta Dey as PI.

2025 - 2026

InterAct – Actionable Insights Fund. £22k over 6 months. Accelerating the adoption of industrial digital technologies using PrOH Modelling. Co-I with Prof Ben Clegg (PI).

2024 - 2026
Knowledge Transfer Partnership funded by Innovate UK.
Company Partner: Aurrigo Plc. Project Value: £220k.
I am Co-I and the Knowledge Base Supervisor, along with Academic Lead Dr Geoff Parkes and Academic Support Dr Arezoo Fakhimi. 
Project Goal: Using systems thinking, this project supports the launch of new autonomous vehicle technologies by developing a strategic marketing approach, including customer segmentation, targeted positioning, and value-driven messaging for the aviation sector.

2024 - 2026
Knowledge Transfer Partnership funded by Innovate UK.
Company Partner: Newtown Packaging. Project Value: £220k.
I am Co-I and Academic Support, along with Academic Dr David Carrington (Academic Lead), Dr Geoff Parkes (KB Supervisor) and Academic Support Dr Arezoo Fakhimi. 
Project Goal: Applying systems thinking, this project focuses on supply chain modeling and market intelligence to develop an innovative Global B2B Business Development Process, driving new market opportunities and product innovation.

2024

Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) Teaching grant to deliver a course on Business Model Innovation at Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management (IIITM), Gwalior, India. £7k

2023

InterAct – Actionable Insights Fund. £18k over one year. In collaboration with Rolls Royce Aerospace Plc. Co-I with Prof Ben Clegg (PI).

2023
Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme, funded by UK Shared Prosperity Fund. £4million, over 2 years. Krishna Balthu (Co-I) with Prof. Prasanta Dey (PI)


2023

Going Global Partnerships Industry Academia Collaborative Top Up Grant funded by British Council. Facilitating Circular Economy adoption in Indian SMEs. £10k, over 6 months. Co-PI with Prof Prasanta Dey

2021 – 2023 

Knowledge Transfer Partnership funded by Innovate UK.
Company Partner: Horizon RMS. Project Value: £202,425.

I am Co-I and the Knowledge Base Supervisor, along with Academic Lead Dr Geoff Parkes and Dr. Aristides Matopoulos (Academic Support).

Project Goal: Using Systems Thinking this project facilitated Horizon RMS's strategic growth aim of becoming a leader in its sector by delivering Business Transformation and Customer Demand Management interventions to improve productivity, operational efficiency and market share.

Chair and member for international conferences

Organising Committee Member responsible for drafting communication, liaising with delegates, organising paper reviews and managing conference portal.

3rd Annual Conference of Aston India Centre for Applied Research (30 - 31 August 2019).

Theme: Managing in the Rapidly Changing Indian Context

Conference Chairs: Prof. Prasanta Dey and Prof. Pawan Budhwar

 

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  1. SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
    SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
  2. SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
    SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  3. SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
    SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
  4. SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
    SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production

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  • 7 Unpublished Conference Paper
  • 4 Article
  • 2 Conference publication
  • 1 Book
View all 14 research outputs
  • 10 Invited talk
  • 2 Oral presentation
View all 12 activities