Book Description

This book focuses on the contribution of Information Technology (IT) and Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) in shaping the current and future global economic scenario, with a special focus on Asia, and taking into account the three broad macroeconomic dimensions — growth, sustainability and governance mechanisms. The last two decades have witnessed a structural shift in the world economy due to the tremendous growth in gross domestic product share for the service sector; in fact, service has emerged as the dominant sector and the main driver of GDP growth. This is mainly attributable to the spectacular success of the IT sector in the new knowledge economy. Tradability, technology and transportability – the three T’s – govern productivity growth in today’s services. Growing Asian economies such as India, China and Vietnam, using their demographic advantages, have been reaping the benefits of this boom. The book’s content focuses on recent debates and discussions concerning the issue of long-term sustainability and governance, especially in India, as these companies are facing continuous challenges in terms of international competition, salary inflation, health hazards, scarcity of talent, employee attrition, security concerns, global slowdown and many other technology-related issues. The book further highlights how the increased application of IT-based products and services is resulting in harsh inequalities concerning income distribution in many developing countries of Asia, mainly because of its labor shedding nature, and hence might be detrimental to sustainable development, if suitable policy measures are not implemented to counter these effects. The book provides a wealth of information for researchers, graduate students and political scientists alike, as well as thought-provoking insights for social scientists, policymakers and government officials. It also offers a valuable source of data for business and management professionals, and for members of Chambers of Commerce and Industry.