How can organizations implement effective women empowerment initiatives while managing the risks of potential backlash or resistance within a traditionally male-dominated industry?
The Information Technology-Business Process Management (IT-BPM) sector is a major segment of India's services. It accounts for 8% of India's GDP, employing more than 1.2 million people and constitutes sub-sectors such as Information Technology Services, Business Process Management (BPM), Hardware anRead more
The Information Technology-Business Process Management (IT-BPM) sector is a major segment of India’s services. It accounts for 8% of India’s GDP, employing more than 1.2 million people and constitutes sub-sectors such as Information Technology Services, Business Process Management (BPM), Hardware and Software Products and Engineering services.
State of IT-BPM industry in India:
- Within the IT-BPM sector, IT services constitute more than 51% share, followed by Software and Engineering services and BPM industry respectively.
- India’s BPM industry, with over 17,000 firms, currently controls more than a 37 per cent share in global sourcing and is witnessing a revenue growth of 1.7 times.
- The computer software and hardware sector in India attracted cumulative foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows worth US$ 85.51 billion between April 2000-March 2022.
- India’s IT-BPM sector is expected to expand to US$350 billion by 2025 and BPM is expected to account for US$50-55 billion out of the total revenue.
Factors that are at play in determining the location of IT hubs in different Indian cities are the following:
- Development of IT parks: State governments have given a boost to the IT sector by developing major IT parks. For example, many IT parks in Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai and Hyderabad have helped them become the country’s major IT hubs.
- Local talent: Abundance of local talent in the city has enabled Bengaluru to become one of the most preferred destinations for IT investment.
- Government policies: Government measures to ease processes and attract tech firms to invest have given an impetus to the sector. For example, government-backed incubators, strong academic and research lab presence, initiatives like Start-Up Telangana portal, etc. have attracted many international conglomerates such as Microsoft, Google, IBM, Yahoo, Dell and Facebook to set up their Indian headquarters in Hyderabad.
- Strategic location: Cyber City, Gurugram is one of the country’s fastest-growing districts and has emerged as a preferred destination for IT companies due to its strategic location and proximity to the capital.
- Similarly, the strategic location of Kochi and its proximity to the administrative department of the Ernakulam district has made it one of the leading IT centres of India.
- Development of infrastructure: Adequate infrastructural support coupled with hundreds of colleges, polytechnics and ITls in Chandigarh city has made the city one of the largest technological hubs of Northern India.
- Similarly, Thiruvananthapuram has world-class IT infrastructure facilities, which makes it a much sought-after IT destination in Kerala. Also, the state offers great opportunities for the IT industry due to factors such as geographical accessibility, an extensive telecom network that reaches most towns and villages, high literacy and export-based trade and commerce.
Apart from the above factors, other elements such as ‘work from anywhere’, relocation of talent to their hometowns, are critical in the evolution of Tier-II and III cities as supplementary ecosystems to the already established IT-BPM locations. Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Nagpur draw strength from mature IT-BPM destinations like Mumbai, Navi-Mumbai, Thane and Pune. Also, most Southern cities benefit from the presence of IT industries in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai.
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Frequently addressed as the most vulnerable yet the strongest section of a society are "we, the women". The flourishing traditional male dominated society comprises both misogynist and feministic mindsets. [Ps: Feminism is not constrained to just hyping up women freedom but providing and supportinRead more
Frequently addressed as the most vulnerable yet the strongest section of a society are “we, the women“. The flourishing traditional male dominated society comprises both misogynist and feministic mindsets.
[Ps: Feminism is not constrained to just hyping up women freedom but providing and supporting equal rights for all sections of society.]
Therefore, empowering women in male-dominated industries requires a multifaceted approach . Here are key steps organizations can take:
- Promote Inclusive Culture: Establish a workplace culture that values diversity and inclusion. This includes setting clear policies against discrimination and promoting respect for all employees.
- Mentorship Programs: Implement mentorship and sponsorship programs to support women’s career development. Pairing women with experienced mentors can provide guidance, advice, and advocacy.
- Training and Development: Offer training programs that focus on leadership, negotiation, and technical skills to help women advance in their careers.
- Flexible Work Policies: Introduce flexible working hours and remote work options to accommodate different needs, making it easier for women to balance work and personal responsibilities.
- Transparent Recruitment and Promotion: Ensure hiring and promotion processes are fair and transparent. Use metrics to track progress in gender diversity.
- Employee Resource Groups: Create women-focused employee resource groups to provide a support network and a platform for voicing concerns and suggestions. Therefore, by implementing these strategies thoughtfully, organizations can empower women while managing potential backlash, ultimately fostering a more inclusive and productive work environment.
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