Benign neglect or strategic intent ?: Contested lineage of Indian Software Industry

Abstract

The high and rising export intensity of India's software production reflects its global competitiveness. The progress of the industry is intrinsically related to the development of this competitiness. The competitiveness has been developed in two stages. First, via long-term investment by the state in technical education and science and technology, with neither necessarly directed at the production of sofware. Subsequently, an incipient software industry with recognisably high export potential has been targeted via fiscal incentives and the provision of export-enabling infrastructure. The emergence of a globally competitive Indian software industry serves as an interesting example of successful state intervention at a time when teh model is largely out of fashion.