Research forms an integral component of the faculty's work at IIM Kozhikode. Faculty members undertake research on a wide range of topics such as Global Competitiveness, WTO Research Centre, Kerala State Development Report, Development of Digital Library, Institutional Analysis of Collective Management of Minor Irrigation Works in Kerala, Developing a marketing information portal for selected agri-commodities (of Kerala) in the context of WTO induced market scenarios, Aspects of reliability modeling and their applications in industry.

These projects are funded either through IIMK's 'Small Grant Research Project' scheme, by external sources such as the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India,Government of Kerala or through collaborations with foreign universities/ research institutes. Fifteen externally sponsored research projects and 40 small grant research projects including the development of cases have been completed during the period 1997-2007. Presently eleven such projects are in progress. These projects cut across disciplines and maintain a contemporary applied focus.

IIM Kozhikode faculty and staff regularly publish their work in reputed refereed national and international journals. During the academic year 2006-2007, eighteen journal articles, five book chapters, five edited books, one book, fifteen working papers and three case studies were published. Dissemination of research work at national and international conferences and workshops by faculty and staff is encouraged as the section on conferences and workshops demonstrates. During the academic year 2006-2007, two conferences were organized at IIMK Campus and three conferences scheduled to be held during the year 2007-08. P&RD Wing has also organized 6 Research Seminars during the year 2006-07.

The Research & Publication Cell of IIM Kozhikode, besides providing administrative assistance that facilitates research related activity in the Institute, also documents the status of research projects and maintains an updated list of faculty and staff publications and presentations. The Cell publishes all the research activities of IIM Kozhikode through its annual Research News Letter.