Magazine 2015
International Peer-Reviewed Journal
RESEARCH HORIZONS, VOL. 5 JULY 2015
COMMERCE
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TWO SOCIO-ECONOMICALLY
DIVERSE COUNTRIES ITALY AND INDIA ON
THE RISE OF INFERTILITY IN WOMEN IN IT INDUSTRIES.
Neha Gada
ABSTRACT
The shift of income flow from Agriculture to Industry was noticed after 1960 but today major contributor
to the National income is the service sector all over the world. There has been significant rise in information
and communication industries globally after 1990’s over the other service all across the globe. The I.T.-
B.P.O. sector in India aggregated revenues of US$99. 1 billion and US$100 billion in FY2012, wehere
export and domestic revenue stood at US$69. 1 billion and US$31.7 billion respectively. Due to recession
and Euro zone Crisis in 2009 the Italian ICT market was worth $86 bilion reflecting a decrease of 4.2%
in Euro currency over the previous year registered by IT with 8.1% of decrease and telecommunication
with 2.3% of decrease.
The comparative study is undertaken between two countries India and Italy on rise of infertility in Women
at I.T. sector based on secondary date to attain the objective of studying the common health problems
of women at I.T. Sector in both the countires that would help enhance the growth of potential Women
workforce at I.T. Industries of both the countries. The study so undertaken defines the I.T. Sector
contribution to National Income of both the countries. The problems so faced by the women at work in
both the countires. THe Findings and conclusion drawn from the inferences of date collected from
articles, e-resources, journals, newspapers, etc. This study intends to thelp women fulfill their desire of
motherhod with limiting complications due to the pressure of work caused at the I.T. Sector in bothe the
countires.
Key Words : Gross Domestic Products (G.D.P.), Euro Zone crisis, Socio-Economic pressure, Information
Technology (I.T.) Sector, Business Process Outsourcing (B.P.O.), Labour Market, Work Stress, Hormonal
Imbalance, Mono-Pose, Career Priorities.
Since past two decades there has been a drastic change in composition of National Income all over
the world. The shift of income flow from Agriculture to Industry was noticed after 1960 but today major
contributor to the National income is the service sector all over the world. The service sector growth is
witnessed due to rise in services like banking, insurance, transportation, B.P.O, information and
communication, etc. but after launch of Microsoft as an operating system (1975). There has been
significant rise in information and communication industries globally after 1990’s over the other service.
Indian Economy and I.T. Industries
India stands seventh in the world by its Nominal GDP income growth of over 7% on an average over
the last two decades. It is classified as ‘Newly Industrialized Country’ and ranks third largest nation by
purchasing power parity. The fastest growing Indian economy has replaced China from the last quarter
of 2014. The Indian economy has shown potential to be the third largest economy of the world. According
to World Bank’s growth outlook, India topped the economic growth for the first time by 7.3% in 2014-
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015 and is expected to be at 7.5-8.3% by 2015-16.
The Information Technology Industry in India has gained a brand identity due to I.T. and I.T.E.S. The
I.T.–I.T.E.S. industry has two major components: I.T. services and Business Process Outsourcing
(
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B.P.O).The I.T.–I.T.E.S. sector contributes substantially to the increase of GDP from 1.2% in FY1998 to
.5% in FY2012; also increase in employment, and exports. According to National Association of
Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM),the I.T.–B.P.O. sector in India aggregated revenues of
US$100 billion in FY2012, where export and domestic revenue stood at US$69.1 billion and US$31.7
billion respectively. The major cities that account for about nearly 90% of this sectors exports are
Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, etc. The Top Five Indian IT Services Providers are
Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant and HCL Technologies.
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RESEARCH HORIZONS, VOL. 5 JULY 2015
Moreover the service sector annual growth rate has been above 9% since 2001 contributing to 57% of
GDP in 2012-13. Indian Economy has capitalized as major exporter of I.T., B.P.O and Software services
with about US $167 billion in 2013-14. The Indian I.T. industries have continued to be the largest
private sector employer till today, with a set-up of fourth largest I.T. hub in 2014-15 with over 3100
technology.
Economic diversity of Italy
Italy has a diversified industrial economy with high gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and
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developed infrastructure. In 2011 Italy were the 8 largest economy in the world, the 4 largest in
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Europe and the 3 largest in the Eurozone in terms of nominal GDP in US $2.198 trillion and the 10
largest economy in the world. The main industries in Italy contributing towards national income are
communication, steel, machineries, motor vehicles, textiles, home appliances, fashion, pharmaceuticals,
chemicals, etc.
However, Italy was hit hard by the Economic-crisis in 2007-2011. The national economy shrank by
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.76% during the whole period, totalizing seven quarters of recession. According to the Eurostat,
Italian Public Debt stood at 116% of GDP in 2010, ranking as the second biggest debt ratio after
Greece (with 126.8%). However, the biggest chunk of Italian public debt is owned by national subjects
and relatively high levels of private savings and low levels of private indebtedness are seen as making
it the safest among Europe’s struggling economies. More specifically, Italian economy is weakened
by the lack of infrastructure development, market reforms and research investment, and also high
public deficit. Italy suffered particular due to the high rate of corruption, an excessive state
interventionism, and a strong Labor law.
Considering the sector wise contribution of Italy’s GDP is Agriculture- 1.8%; Industry- 24.9%; Services-
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3.3% (2010 estimates). The country had 25.05 million of workforce in 2010 of which sector wise
contribution was services (65.1%), industry (30.7%), and agriculture (4.2%) (2005). Depicting more or
less similar sector wise GDP structure as that of India.
I.T. Sector in Italy
ASSINFORM is the Italian Association of the major Information & Communication Technology Companies
and represents a major reference point for the Italian ICT industry as it is covers Computer,
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Communication, Content and Consumer Technologies at a top priority. Italy is Europe’s 4 largest
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market for the IT industry whereas IT is Italy’s 4 most important Industry comprising of 97000 active
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companies and 390000 employees. Italy is also Europe’s 3 largest market for the communication
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equipment and service industry and 2 largest in advance mobile communications market in Western
Europe.
Due to recession and Eurozone Crisis in 2009 the Italian ICT market was worth $86 billion reflecting a
decrease of 4.2% in Euro currency over the previous year registered by IT with 8.1 % of decrease and
telecommunication with 2.3% of decrease. To overcome this problem ASSINFORM has recently entered
into agreement with 2 major Italian Banks for favoring finance of $1.2 billion to the Italian companies
desirous of investing in new IT projects. Amongst the most recent programs is the “Industry 2015”
innovation program for the adoption of advanced IT solutions in “Made in Italy” sector, which provide
grants of $280 million to the companies and research centers.
Aim and Objective of the study
The aim of the research is to study the trend of infertility in women in I.T industries and to ascertain
health initiatives to conquer the similar problem of infertility in two extremely diverse socio-economic-
cultural countries India and Italy. This would help us in creating a new sphere balanced with health and
career amongst ambitious young women at IT of both the countries.
The objectives of the Research study are divided namely into Specific and General, according to their
impact of the study on both demographically different locations India and Italy.
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RESEARCH HORIZONS, VOL. 5 JULY 2015
Specific Objectives to be studied at both the countries individually
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To study the nature of occupational impact on fertility of women.
To study the health problems of women in I.T. Sector.
To study the causes and effects of work pressure (mental) on women’s fertility.
General objectives to help both the countries find similarities in confronting problems
and solutions,
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To establish healthy work culture for women.
To enhance the growth of potential Women workforce in I.T. Industries of both the countries.
To help women fulfill their desire of motherhood with limiting complications due to the pressure of
work caused at the I.T. Sector.
Research Methodology
The scope of this research study is limited to the women’s working in the IT services in Mumbai for
India. The Research study is limited to the I.T. Service Industry alone whereas B.P.O is not selected.
For the purpose of the study secondary data is selected with the use of research articles, Books,
journal, websites, e-resources, Newspapers, etc.
Finding and conclusion:
The study reveals some common status and problem faced by women in I.T. sector of both economically
diverse countries at work which are represented individually for attaining specific objectives of women
at two different ends. The findings so made are based on inferences drawn from data collected from
articles, e- resources, journals, newspapers, etc.
Women employment in I.T. Industries in India
India is a vast country with a very high population of more than one billion. The sex ratio is 940:1000
(
2011) which rose by 0.75% since the last census (2001). Unlike this, the total women participation at
work in India is about 40% of which urban sector contribution is just 20% which is too low when
compared with other countries of the world. The women participation at B.P.O contributes to about
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0% as most of the women prefer part–time or contractual jobs to maintain work life balance. . More
openings for undergraduate and graduate women are available B.P.O’s. The male to Female ratio of
B.P.O. employment is 31:69 which shows dominance purely by women.
The enrolment of women in higher education is about 40% which signifies more women are ready to
pursue higher education. This has led to a socio-economic change in young women and they have
started practicing over more full time jobs in I.T., HR, Finance, etc. Moreover I.T. companies in India
provide indiscriminating gender policies for job placements. About 25% of women are employed at I.T.
Sector based on the Education, Talent and Operational Skills. One of the giants and Indian number
one I.T. Service based Company namely Tata Consultancy Services Limited employ about 31% of
women, followed by Wipro and Infosys about 28% each. The Job involve good pay packages, pick
drops, incentives, personnel management appraisals and better exposure. The work does not involve
rigorous physical exercises and so could suit women but requires constant psychological balance and
mental exercises.
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RESEARCH HORIZONS, VOL. 5 JULY 2015
The I.T. sector therefore is very challenging along with pure operational and function challenge women
have to face many physical and mental problems due to the typography of the work and job requirement.
The Italian Women labor market in I.T.
On an average, about 70 % of women aged 26-54 years old are employed over 85% of men in 2003.
Italy stands out for a gender employment gap of over 20% which is much lower than that of India. The
total employment under service sector is significant. Of the total women employment, service sector
contributes for about 81% of women employment over 57% of male employment. This depicts
dominance of women over men mostly as they opt for part time jobs. The women contribution in ICT
services in 2003 was 28% which helped creation of ICT jobs until 2001, but it had less contribution of
women at management and leadership position, as in India. Women currently are underrepresented in
the ICT sector as the enrolment rate was below 25% in 2004 from which only 27.8% of computer and
information systems managers were women only 9.6% were hardware engineers, only 5.8% of senior
academic positions in engineering and technology field were held by women.
Some common problems faced by women of I.T. industries in India
Some common problems faced by women of I.T. industries like vision problem-eye sight problem,
back aches, headaches, muscular problem, joint pains, sciatica, stress, etc. Stress creates further
women specific problems like hormonal imbalance, problem related to delay or irregular menstrual
cycle, amenorrhea or mono-pose at an early age of 35 to 40 years and above all which is notice to rise
significantly is infertility. Infertility in women has risen by 50% since 1980’s adhering to an alarming
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rise. The Study of 125 women revealed in Times of India on 8 March 2013 states, above 90 % of
women working in Mumbai at call centers and incorporate jobs were suffering from irregularity of
menses (scanty or prolonged). 35% of executives interviewed were already suffering from amenorrhea,
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5% of women tried at least IVF once without any result. It was also observed that all of them had high
level of the hormone cortisol which is caused mainly due to stress. Most of the women in B.P.O. are
prone to addictions like smoking, drinking, strong sexual and physical relations. Their job timings vary
according to the shifts which cause change in their eating, drinking, and sleeping scheduled pattern
leading to psychological pressure (stress) and hormonal imbalance.
The I.T. Companies mostly serve international vendor base. The employees get opportunity to work
from on-site or off-shores. The couple’s family life gets disturbed due to cross cultural and environmental
changes. Fear of getting settled, adopting new area and client, client direct pressure at on- site and
ignorance about the countries policies would also increase pressure (stress).
Stress could also be caused due to long working hours, constant under pressure situation, unrealistic
deadlines to be met, peer pressure, promotion and job security pressure, maintenance of work life
balance, etc. Other reason could be due to socio-economic pressures; women prefer to complete
their education and pursue their careers before starting a family, thereafter coping with family life and
career priorities, domestic violence and increase of responsibilities. This sometimes means that
childbearing is postponed till women are in their late twenties or early thirties causing natural reduction
in fertility of women. This vicious cycle stress leading to infertility and infertility would cause stress.
Basic Infertility problem are caused in Italian women
The basic fertility problems are faced by Italian women due to rise in the age –the average age of
women to conceive first child is after 31 years of age, too much of Alcohol and Drugs consumption, too
much of Smoking habit, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, underweight or Overweight, Dietary Problems,
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RESEARCH HORIZONS, VOL. 5 JULY 2015
Stress relating to inflation and rise in price level, job insecurity but to cost cutting and recession at
European Countries due to Eurozone crisis, Stopped Transfer Payment problems by government, etc.
Due to lack of executive positions and wide gender gap, the women do face many physical and
psychological problems at work. All these causes lead to the infertility and related problem as discussed
before.
Conclusion:
The number of children that would be born to a woman if she were to live to the end of her childbearing
years and bear children in accordance with current age-specific fertility rates for Italy is 1.4 in 2010 and
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.6 for India in 2011.
It could be concluded that women in Italy enjoy better state than women of India, as they are more
independent and confident, so pressure of work is bit less as much is faced by Indian Women. The
women do have problem relating over indulgence of alcohols, cigarettes, caffeine, sex etc. which is
commonly entering into young women’s of India too but less when compared to Italy only because of
socio-cultural taboo. Due to late marriages and delayed childbearing about 30 to 40 years of age, the
women in Italy do also suffer through the common problem of infertility.An attempt can be made by
timely counselling, meditation, avoiding drugs and alcohol, indulging in healthy eating practices, etc.
to minimize infertility problems.
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Italy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_India
http://data.worldbank.org/indicator
www.ined.fr/fichier/t.../telechargement_fichier_en_p16_colonna.pdf
http://www.globaltrade.net/f/market-research/text/Italy/Computers-Telecommunications-Internet-ICT-
trends-in-Italy.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertility
www.ftu-namur.org/fichiers/ICWES14-Lille-VendraminP.pdf
http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/medicalguidelines/a/Undiagnosed-Celiac-Disease-Can-Lead-To-
Infertility.htm
http://www. eale. nl/Conference2010/Programme/PaperscontributedsessionsA/
add128607_bxQQv1vXH9.pdf
http://tools.cisco.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_technology_in_India
Frankenhaeuser, Stress and Opportunities,1991 with ISBN-978-1-4613-6651-5.
cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/women-in-indias-it-industry
Iyer Malathy, “Stress At Work Taking Toll On Fertility,” The Times of India, Mumbai, Friday, March8,
2
013,
Ms. Neha Gada, Assistant Prof. of Accountancy, M.N.W.College, Mumbai.
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