Journal Press India^®

Author Details ( * ) denotes Corresponding author

Purpose: This paper tries to emphasize the possibilities of research being outsourced to India. It discusses this issue with context to Computer Science (CS) and related technologies and aims to bring out trends in CS research and development with a positive attitude for ‘technology generation’. It analyses the opportunities, challenges existing in carrying out research-based outsourcing, the global outlook towards I3’s R&D strength. Design/Methodology/Approach: Two surveys were conducted to ascertain the understanding of the software professionals/ academician’s and students’ views and thoughts on what they feel the way Indian software industry is heading towards, to ascertain the research understandings of the group and whether there is any hint of Software R&D outsourcing that is happening. Findings: emergence of research outsourcing is possible and I3 is ready and quite capable to accept the challenge. What is required is to focus on the existing issues and problems and I3 visionaries along with the various government agencies, to work more towards creating environment more favorable to carry out research and collaborative work. With more or less no legal hassles and providing IPR and security, a sense of trust between the outsourced and the outsourcing entities can be built. Research Limitations: Application of statistical tools would have given quantified result and would have depicted the clear picture of IT Industry. Managerial Implications: The I3 is being targeted by many countries to outsource research work. These countries not only include US and Europe regions but also Asia Pacific and surrounding regions. This implies a greater responsibility on behalf of I3 representatives at all level and an alert research workforce ready to innovate and accept challenges. Originality/Value: A sense of mutual trust, cohesiveness and following a process-model form the base on which research outsourcing flourishes.

Keywords

Indian IT Industry, Research and Development, Computer Science R&D Outsourcing, CS R&D Trends, CS R&D Directions, Indian Entrepreneurship, Indian IT Industry survey

1. Babu, Mohan (1999), “In the global web from home ground”; (online) http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/july28/eb5.asp
2. C-DAC, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, (online), C-DAC, http://www.cdac.in
3. Development Gateway Foundation (2005), (online) http://www.developmentgateway.org/
4. e-Cell IT Mumbai (2005-06), “The Entrepreneurship Cell at IIT Mumbai”, (online), http://gymkhana.iitb.ac.in/~ecell/?
5. Free Software Foundation (2005), “Free software definition”; (online) http://www.fsf.org/licensing/essays/free-sw.html, Feb.
6. ICT Research and Training Centre, India (2005), (online), http://www.ictrt.org.in/
7. Laborlawtalk (2005), Encyclopedia.laborlawtalk.com definition for outsourcing,(online) http://encyclopedia.laborlawtalk.com/ Outsourcing
8. Linux International (2001), “Linux History”, (online), http://www.li.org/linuxhistory.php
9. NASSCOM (2005), “Advantage India, Strengths”, (online), NASSCOM, http://www.nasscom.org/artdisplay.asp?cat_id=36,
10. NASSCOM  (2005),  “Indian  IT  Industry:  NASSCOM Analysis”,  NASSCOM,  http://www.nasscom.org/ artdisplay.asp?cat_id=424, (online)
11. National eScience Centre (2005), The UK Computing Research Committee, “Grand Challenges for Computing Research Draft Proposals” (online), http://www.nesc.ac.uk/esi/events/Grand_Challenges/proposals/
12. Open Source Initiative (OSI) (2005), “The Open source definition”, (online), http://www.opensource.org/docs/definition.php
13. Outsourcing Times, (2004), “Outsourcing 101 - A Beginner’s Guide to Offshoring”, (online), http://www.blogsource.org/blog/2004/06/outsourcing_101.html, June.
14. Question Pro (2005), “Survey Software”, (online), http://www.questionpro.com/
15. Ramamritham, Krithi (1995), “A Detailed Report on R&D at Indian Computer-Science Establishments”, (online), http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/india/agency/krithi1.html, Office of Naval Research, November 8.
16. Rodrigues, Jorge Nascimento (2005), “India’s Emergence as a Global R&D Hub”, (online) http://www.inseadinnovasia.com/inseadinnovasia/insight-gurus-indiarnd.htm
17. University Grants Commission (2005), (online), http://www.ugc.ac.in, Ministry of HRD, Government of India, New Delhi.
18. UGC (2004-05), “Universities and Higher Education”, (online), http://www.education.nic.in/Annualreport2004-05/Uhe.pdf, UGC
19. Weiser, Mark “Computer Science Challenges for the Next Ten Years”, (online), http://sandbox.parc.com/weiser/10year/