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What are your suggestions for making workers participation more affective in an IT industry?

Information technology, and the hardware and software associated with the IT industry, are an integral part of nearly every major global industry. The information technology (IT) industry has become of the most robust industries in the world. IT, more than any other industry or economic facet, has an increased productivity, particularly in the developed world, and therefore is a key driver of global economic growth. Economies of scale and insatiable demand from both consumers and enterprises characterize this rapidly growing sector. The IT sector has emerged as a major global source of both growth and employment. Features of the IT Industry at a Glance

Economies of scale for the information technology industry are high Unlike other common industries, the IT industry is knowledge-based. IT industry workers required according to IT changes for their goals. Intensive training required to workers according to IT development. Efficient utilization of skilled labor forces in the IT sector can help an economy achieve a rapid pace of economic growth. Located in selected Metro cities/Towns. More employment opportunity for skilled workers. More worker required middle level and above. Lower lever workers less compared with other industry. Due to development of IT unskilled have feeling they will loose jobs. Local politician will not support IT industry growth as they will loose control of workers due to IT workers mostly from outside and educated they have no interest in local issues. Before starting industry, agreement will be sign by Management with Govt and regional administration and offer jobs for local people to please local public. The IT industry helps many other sectors in the growth process of the economy including the services and manufacturing sectors. So Govt will take more initiative and support to IT industry for the development of the country.

High investment, high returns and non availability of skilled workers are the main futures of this industry compare to other industry like manufacturing ,tourism, construction ,etc .

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IT WORKERS High skilled and high profile in education, and in social life. Workers from middle level family and above, not care about job security and search for other better package. As most of workers were highly qualified and their feeling was everyone equal in the industry and same right, responsibility and authority. Top level managers qualification and profile almost same so workers not like to command them in the military style they like friendly style command. They were good disciplined and follow rules and regulation and chances of question management decision are less compared to other industry which is depend on low level workers/labours to achieve their goals. Less interest in local issues and politics. Demand only good pay package and amenities/good work atmosphere. They were less interest in management policy of pleasing workers for the achievement of goals. They were able to take there on decision as per management policy not care about their job. They were not interfere management policy only think about their pay package. They were only interest their assignment given by management in the offer of appointment, if they were feel not get package of offer they will try other job which is easily available in other IT industry. Less social problem compare to other industry workers. Less number of low level workers as compared to other industries. Most of the workers in IT industries from outside state/district due to non availability of skilled IT workers locally. They were facing family set up and adjust with local culture

WORKERS PARTICIPATION IN MANAGEMENT

It can be described as a system of communication and consultation, either formal or informal, by which the employees of an organization are kept informed about the affairs of the undertaking and through which they express their opinion and contribute to Management decisions. The following are the characteristics of WPM 1. Employees are invited to share in the decision-making process of the firm by participating in activities such as setting goals, determining work schedules, and making suggestions. 2. Increasing the responsibility of employees (job enrichment); forming self-managed teams, quality circles, or quality-of-work-life committees; and soliciting survey feedback.
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3. Management treating the ideas and suggestions of employees with consideration and respect. 4. The most extensive form of participative management is direct employee ownership of a company. Four processes influence participation. These processes create employee involvement as they are pushed down to the lowest levels in an organization. The farther down these processes move, the higher the level of involvement by employees. The four processes include: 1. Information sharing, which is concerned with keeping employees informed about the economic status of the company. 2. Training, which involves raising the skill levels of employees and offering development opportunities that allow them to apply new skills to make effective decisions regarding the organization as a whole? 3. Employee decision making, which can take many forms, from determining work schedules to deciding on budgets or processes. 4. Rewards, which should be tied to suggestions and ideas as well as performance. Apart from the above points, some of the following may also be considered for making WPM more effective in IT INDUSTRY. Managers should carefully weigh the pros and the cons before implementing this style of management. While it is important that management allows employees to participate in decision making Encourages involvement in the organization's direction, managers must be cognizant of the potential for employees to spend more time formulating suggestions and less time completing their work. Socio-Cultural Environment changes will have to be taken in to account for making the participative system work well. Managers attitude of traditional father and expect the obedience from subordinates will have to undergo changes. Workers and management sit down and discussed anything other than grievance, wages etc. Based on various studies the following pre-requisites are identified in making strategies to make participative forums more effective. Permissive environment is created ie good industrial relations climate must be peaceful and a strong and representative union. Encourage participation through changes in the leadership styles, communication process, inter personal and inter group relations etc. Limited number of forums of WPM and regular meeting.

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 Combined extracurricular activities like sports, game activities cultural activities frequently. It will develop good relation with management and workers. Workers must have a sense of job security and freedom from reprisals resulting from this participation. The above points are applicable in every industry and it would be apt for IT industry because the structure of the industry itself demands this kind of participative management styles.

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Karthikeyan,MBA,ex Dy.Comdt. Former UN Police Observer pochayilkarthik@yahoo.com

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