An analytical study of the ethical problems in India’s digital service sector and their impact on attrition in the IT industry

More, SK

Abstract

This research aims to test the hypothesis that ethical problems are causing high staff attrition rates within the digital service sector (DSS) in India. It is also shown that ethical problems affect other factors in DSS, such as trust, decision-making process, stability, and day to day activities of the individuals in the workplace. This research focuses on the ethical issues in India’s DSS as it exhibits a high staff attrition rate. India is the second largest populated country in the world and produces millions of multitasking, knowledgeable, talented and digitally skilled engineers annually. The rapid growth of Indian’s economy in the DSS is contributing largely to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Unfortunately, with the increasing and leading development of Indian DSS, organisations have started facing unethical conducts and unfair treatment towards their employees. In general ethical issues are well managed in developed and advanced countries, but their implementation in developing countries such as India is still problematic.


This study has developed a theoretical framework appropriate to reduce ethical problems and decrease high attrition rate in the Indian DSS. It also focuses on identifying and reducing the ethical problems and decrease their effects on the major issue of a high rate of employee attrition. This research is based on an extensive review of the literature and testing several factors pertinent to the Indian context. The researcher has adopted a novel mixed method approach to accomplish aim and objectives by securing the perceptions of Indian DSS employees. Additionally, the researcher conducted a quantitative survey and qualitative interviews to gather information via a mixed research method strategy. The quantitative information collected from 64 Indian digitally skilled employees through surveys and a total 16 interviews were conducted to analyse the data. The survey questionnaires were analysed quantitatively by descriptive and statistical methods using SPSS and interviews were examined using the NVivo software.


Furthermore, the researcher has also investigated the existence of guidelines, policies and code of ethics within the industry and whether it is properly followed and implemented by the management. Using a specialised code of ethics and professional conduct that have proved to be successful, the researcher created, develop and enhanced the existing code of ethics with regards to the employee, with an attempt to reduce the ethical problems and reduce high staff attrition rate across India’s DSS. The framework is useful for policymakers, the commercial and digital service sectors and to the government bodies to create change in India. The result of the study produces a new theory to solve the problem with the set of recommendations and proposals. Hence, the research contributes to knowledge about ethical issues and their effects on attrition. The development of this research study is considered to be the first of its kind and thus lays the ground for further research in this very sensitive area of the subject.

Citation

More, S. (in press). An analytical study of the ethical problems in India’s digital service sector and their impact on attrition in the IT industry. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Acceptance Date: Jun 8, 2018
• Deposit Date: Sep 21, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 21, 2018
• Additional Information: Funders : Central Government of India