C.K. Prahalad is an author, researcher and a consultant in the field of corporate strategy. He is the Professor of Strategy at the University of Michigan and in addition to corporate strategy, he specializes in studying the role of top management in large, diversified, multinational corporations.

Prahalad has introduced the concepts of "core competence" and "strategic intent" through his strategy books which are a mandatory read for every student of strategy. His articles have appeared in all the leading management journals including the Harvard Business Review. In his latest book he talks about how companies can serve the needs of the world's poor people and yet make profits.