Breaking Out of Lock-In: Insights from Case Studies into Ways Up the Value Ladder for Indian Software SMEs

Breaking Out of Lock-In: Insights from Case Studies into Ways Up the Value Ladder for Indian Software SMEs

Abhishek Nirjar, Andrew Tylecote
Copyright: © 2005 |Pages: 22
DOI: 10.4018/irmj.2005100103
OnDemand:
(Individual Articles)
Available
$37.50
Current Special Offers
No Current Special Offers
TOTAL SAVINGS: $37.50

Abstract

Small and medium enterprises in the Indian software development industry, like their larger counterparts, are mostly low on the value ladder. This paper examines the difficulties confronting them in moving up the ladder and the strategies and circumstances conducive to success, drawing on three case studies. Human resource development emerges as central. Though SMEs have meager resources for moving up, compared to large firms, they have a greater incentive to do so, and this organizational interest accords with the interests and motivations of their employees for career development. It is found that the keys to success are to treat employees as co-investors in their own human capital in order to form an effective community of practice across the firm and to find market opportunities that stretch the firm in the right direction and to the right extent. For the last of these, the main contribution is made by existing clients, but an important role may be played by venture capitalists, particularly those that are US-based.

Complete Article List

Search this Journal:
Reset
Volume 36: 1 Issue (2023)
Volume 35: 4 Issues (2022): 3 Released, 1 Forthcoming
Volume 34: 4 Issues (2021)
Volume 33: 4 Issues (2020)
Volume 32: 4 Issues (2019)
Volume 31: 4 Issues (2018)
Volume 30: 4 Issues (2017)
Volume 29: 4 Issues (2016)
Volume 28: 4 Issues (2015)
Volume 27: 4 Issues (2014)
Volume 26: 4 Issues (2013)
Volume 25: 4 Issues (2012)
Volume 24: 4 Issues (2011)
Volume 23: 4 Issues (2010)
Volume 22: 4 Issues (2009)
Volume 21: 4 Issues (2008)
Volume 20: 4 Issues (2007)
Volume 19: 4 Issues (2006)
Volume 18: 4 Issues (2005)
Volume 17: 4 Issues (2004)
Volume 16: 4 Issues (2003)
Volume 15: 4 Issues (2002)
Volume 14: 4 Issues (2001)
Volume 13: 4 Issues (2000)
Volume 12: 4 Issues (1999)
Volume 11: 4 Issues (1998)
Volume 10: 4 Issues (1997)
Volume 9: 4 Issues (1996)
Volume 8: 4 Issues (1995)
Volume 7: 4 Issues (1994)
Volume 6: 4 Issues (1993)
Volume 5: 4 Issues (1992)
Volume 4: 4 Issues (1991)
Volume 3: 4 Issues (1990)
Volume 2: 4 Issues (1989)
Volume 1: 1 Issue (1988)
View Complete Journal Contents Listing