Achieving a Balance among Competing Goals: The Case of Cochin International Airport Limited

Dr. Mathachan P J

This paper discusses the success story of Cochin International Airport Limited set up under the PPP mode in order to learn lessons in leadership and business management that will provide clues for potential projects of similar kind. The paper would like to particularly look at the persona of Mr V J Kurian who made it happen against heavy odds. The paper concludes that V J Kurian was successful in establishing the airport, make profits and create ownership because he made it work like a social enterprise through various measures such as rehabilitation of those who lost their land and initiating meritocratic and transparent processes that could withstand political interference. He was able to achieve a balance among the competing goals involved in the project. This approach to enterprise building has a strong Gandhian tenor about it.