Maryland Smith’s Anil Gupta, Haiyan Wang Named Again to Thinkers50 List

Noted again as “global strategists, experts on entrepreneurship and the transformational rise of emerging markets, foremost China and India,” Maryland Smith’s Anil K. Gupta and Haiyan Wang, MBA ’95, were recently named in the 2021 Thinkers50 global ranking of management thinkers.

The partners and frequent co-authors have been included in the list since 2013. Gupta is the Michael D. Dingman Chair in Strategy and Entrepreneurship for the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. Maryland Smith MBA graduate Wang is Managing Partner of China India Institute.

The Thinkers50 list is updated every two years as “the essential guide to which thinkers and which ideas matter now,” by British business consultants and authors Stuart Crainer and Des Dearlove. They tout the compilation as “the essential guide to which business thinkers and ideas are in – and which have been consigned to business history.”

Gupta is recognized for his research on emerging markets (particularly China and India), frugal innovation, global strategy and organization, and corporate innovation and entrepreneurship. Wang is recognized for her expertise in international economics and the importance of global mindset.

Gupta and Wang also were among the top 10 finalists for the Thinkers50 2019 Strategy Award.

The Thinkers50 criteria begins with relevance of ideas, research rigor, presentation of ideas, accessibility/dissemination of ideas and international outlook. Candidates are further evaluated according to originality, impact and practicality of ideas; business sense; and power to inspire. According to the organization, “The Thinkers50 global ranking of management thinkers is published every two years and is the essential guide to which thinkers and which ideas matter now.”