Design and implementation of policy for career path and promotion

Abstract

Recent interest in career paths in the Indian IT industry has increased as indicated by Nasscom s drive to develop occupational standards and career paths through its IT-ITes Sector Skill Council. The purpose of the project is to study the career path and promotion policies in Samsung India Software Operations (SISO) Ltd. in the context of current practices in the Indian IT industry. SISO is the Indian R and D centre of Samsung Electronics Corporation (SEC), located in Bangalore. Major activities of SISO are software development, integration, testing and maintenance for SEC products like smartphones, printers, TVs, memory chips, etc. Established in 1998, SISO has grown to over 3000 employees and is the largest R and D centre of SEC outside Korea. Due to increasing workforce and costs, SISO can no longer bank on cost arbitration as a competitive advantage against other centers in Bangladesh, China and East Europe. Career path and promotion policies are important elements of employee engagement which are linked to skill enhancements and employee retention The study examines the competency-based career path system in SISO based on existing conditions in the talent market and company goals. The research methodology included study of existing systems in industry and analysis of SISO s policies using frameworks available in literature. Literature survey was conducted for current status and practices in career path and promotion policies focusing on IT and other fast-growing Indian industries. Existing systems in the industry for identifying and developing potential were evaluated for effectiveness and alignment with business strategy. SISO s policies were examined in the context of the industry and SISO s business goals. Focus will be on the goals of Mobile Communications Team (MCT) in SISO.