Cultural Backlash Against Outsourcing?

InformationWeek's Outsourcing Blog, by Paul McDougall, this week wonders if there's menace in the growing rumble, by Indian commentators, that outsourcing threatens traditional Indian values (e.g., by obliging workers to adopt a Western holiday schedule, assume 'Western-sounding' names for telemarketing work, or simply by exposing Indian workers to 'Hallmark Holidays').

I'm not sure this is a bad -- or threatening -- thing, either way. The fact is, India is no longer a crown colony, nor is it the "dirty little secret" of Western service industry. As citizens of a huge nation, and as valued trading partners, Indian service providers have a certain right to begin to expect not to have to call themselves 'Bob' and 'Alice' and learn to say 'Happy Valentine's Day' in a Midwestern accent. Or, conversely, if Western firms really think they need this stuff, they should be willing to pay a premium for it.

As to claims of cultural imperialism: On the one hand, participation in the global economy demands adaptation to a nascent global values-system -- but on the other, part-benefit of _successful_ participation means you get to start dictating what's on the global values-agenda. So it all evens out: I lead with Valentine's Day, and you match and raise with Vinayaka Chaturthi!

Read more here.

Posted by John Jainschigg at 02:19 PM  Permalink

This is a public forum. CMP Media and its affiliates are not responsible for and do not control what is posted herein. CMP Media makes no warranties or guarantees concerning any advice dispensed by its staff members or readers.

Community standards in this comment area do not permit hate language, excessive profanity, or other patently offensive language. Please be aware that all information posted to this comment area becomes the property of CMP Media LLC and may be edited and republished in print or electronic format as outlined in CMP Media's Terms of Service.

Important Note: This comment area is NOT intended for commercial messages or solicitations of business.