The Role of Information and Communication Technologies in Enhancing Processes of Entrepreneurship and Globalization in Indian Software Companies

Abstract

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) enable hitherto untradable services to be traded internationally, just like commodities, via the internet and the telephone -the recent outsourcing of software programming, airline revenue accounting, insurance claims and call centers to India is a good example. Consequently, ICTs have enabled not only small and medium-sized firms but even start-ups to globalize their operations. For instance, Silicon Valley based technology start-ups owned and managed by foreign-born entrepreneurs have successfully exploited India's software talent -this paper investigates the close relationship between ICTs, globalization and entrepreneurship. A theoretical basis for analysis is developed using innovation theory to study the link between immigrant entrepreneurship and the processes of globalization shaped through the use and proliferation of ICTs in developing countries. The theory is illustrated using seven case studies. This paper adds to the growing body of literature that emphasizes the aforementioned link as compared to the existing studies which have focused exclusively on the behavior of multinational corporations and national markets.

FDI Inflow, ICT Expansion and Economic Growth: An Empirical Study on Asia-Pacific Developing Countries

“…An expansion of ICT infrastructure enables the MNEs to reap the advantage of cheap labour and capital, easy access to local and international markets, and regular and continuous communication with respective headquarters. This influences the MNEs to invest in the countries having good ICT base (Gajjala, 2006).…”