How Does Symbolic Egalitarianism Impact Employee Motivation in India's IT Industry?

I would like to know how symbolic egalitarianism works in India. Our culture is totally different from Western culture. I feel our government and society, in general, prefer status symbols. However, the IT industry culture is different. In the IT industry, seniors are called by their first names by the most junior employees. The food court is common to all, as is parking, and so on. Will this approach motivate the employees?

With regards,
SV Mani

Hi Mani,

There is no hard and fast rule that a traditionally bound community cannot be progressive with equality and common turf thinking.

That is what is most confusing about the people and attitude in India. We can be largely hypocritical. Extremely liberated to discuss dating allowance and yet not allow that with daughters at home. Or fight for night shift allowance for employees and yet not want to marry a woman with a call center job. It's everywhere.

But I guess it's interesting how we accept and evolve - though superficially. It's like the two faces of the working metro Indian. One at home with family and the other modernized and globally savvy workplace face - Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The same Indian who spits and throws cigarette butts anywhere on the street is most civil and respectable abroad. Wonder what happens on home turf? Community living class dissolves perhaps.

But kudos to our "9-hour-a-day adaptability" despite our old value system and beliefs. Or we would never have been capable of emerging as new leaders of a propelling economy.

Regards,

Seema Raghunath

P.S. I am also included in the list of pseudo-modern Indians.

Hi, your views exactly describe the attitude of our society. I want to know how symbolic egalitarianism affects the organizational environment. Are the seniors demotivated by the slow disappearance of differentiation? Are the juniors motivated?

With regards,
SV Mani

Hi,

Take a look at the cultural community and the same pilfers into the Org too. The culture could have been a blind spot or a developmental hazard. Accepting common norms and value to all individuals regardless of position and seniority is the mantra today. Symbolic egalitarianism - nice long jargon. But grassroots value? One firm, one team? My org is a strong propagator of this discipline.

The benefits:
- Opens channels to communication
- The divides are less apparent
- Fosters an environment of equal opportunity
- Bias and prejudice find little place to survive
- Encourages young employees to strive harder - everything being conducive to growth.

Surely you agree any environment with a minimum divide is progressive. That explains why we also follow the global standards on that one.

Regards,
Seema

Seema,

Thank you for your comments. The younger generation prefers this environment. Will the experienced middle managers accept the change in the environment or get demotivated? I wonder 🤔

With Regards,
SVMani