Understanding Social Support Network of Women in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Sector

Munwari Padmanabhan , Dr. S. Sampath Kumar

Social support, Women, ICT sector,Women professionals

The changing aspects of personal, family, socio-economic, and career advancement with regard to Social support were analysed from 503 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) women professionals, from 12 various ICT organisations from Bengaluru, India. ICT industry remains to be the major private sector employer in India for women and this number was all set to increase in the future. The characteristics of the ICT industry in India and the nature of the work pose some unique challenges for women professionals in the industry. This study focuses on how thesocial support related factors influence women professionals. Do these women perceive the social support as a blessing? It was very obvious that career oriented women have to manage / balance work & life due to stereotypic roles played. Women professionals have agreed that their career advancement was influenced by the support they got from their managers, co-workers, family and organisationThe study found that age was one among the several factors affecting their adjustment into society. The higher the age, the mature were women and very adapting to the society. For some women the factors created positive attributions, but paradoxically, for others, the same factors created negative attributions in various forms related with co- workers. Though women wanted and wished this blessing of social support in their daily routine, it was a reality that there was a struggle to get that blessing in place for all the 503 women, we interacted. The percentages of blessings varied and the study proved that there was a significant adaptability required, in order to get this social support from all angles. The study denoted a very high significant relationship between Social support and factorssuch as..age, income, qualification of the spouse and self, working hours, gender affect, marital status and career advancement. When there was no support from the family, the individual encountered difficultiesof managing home and workeffectively. The researcher also had made certain recommendations that could help women sail through the issues of social support such as developing an extensive network, identifying a mentor and coach for self, plan by being proactive, knowledge acquisition, enjoying life and giving importance to self and ask for help and support when in need.

Volume 6 Issue 1, February-2018

Pages : 1327-1331