Cochin - The Emerging Silicon Valley of India: Requirement of Right Policies

Software industry is acknowledged as an important engine of economic growth for many developing and under developed countries. Software development is a service that is both labour and knowledge-intensive. Nowhere are human resources as critically important as in the software sector. Human resources are not only the drivers and principal value-creators of the output of this industry; they are also the intellectual capital or the infrastructure investment. Therefore, attracting, training, retaining and motivating employees are the critical success-determinants of this industry. The comparative study and analysis of job satisfaction conducted at the two metros of Cochin and Bangalore reveals that the software professionals working at Cochin and its suburbs are not satisfied with their current job and its allied services. It shows that the satisfaction level of software professionals working at Bangalore is significantly high compared to Cochin, with respect to Nature of Job, Wages and Perks. The sub scales such as Pay, Fringe Benefits, Contingent Rewards, Operating Conditions and Communication also supported the same. This research paper also provides an analysis of the human resource issues facing in the Indian software industry and also tries to give an insight to the policy makers and sector players to develop right strategies so that Cochin also will be successful in meeting global competition. We have better opportunities than many other developing or even developed countries with regard to human resources. If there is better policy and implementation to solve the HR challenges discussed here, there is no doubt that Cochin will become one of the emerging Silicon Valley of India.