China or India?
Filed in archive Intelligence on July 28, 2004
It's natural to compare India and china. Both countries are seeing rapid modernization of their economies thanks in part to a strong focus on education and a keen interest in technology.
A recent article published in an Indian newspaper mentions that China may well catch up with India as the world leader in IT offshoring services.
However, if that is to happen, China has a few disadvantages to contend with:
1. Poor English skillsCommunication in English has proven to be a barrier between first-world entrepreneurs and the many mainland Chinese laborers who accept offshore IT projects. However, Infosys chairman N R Narayana Murthy reports that "China is making extraordinary efforts in bridging the gap in English." In just three short years, this barrier might find itself weakening.
2. Project experienceNoticeably, China has not been getting as much media exposure in the IT offshoring sector as India. Projects are certainly being offshored to China, but we have little news of how successful they are. Favorable reviews of Chinese service providers are rare -- if any can be found.
Permalink: China or India?
Tags: outsourcing china english india best china+india personal+finance hedge+funds
Vote for China or India?:
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Rating: 8.00 out of 1 vote(s) cast.
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Response from:
Yi Chen
(11/30/04 10:38am)
I agree that English skills are one of the major disadvantage of Chinese outsourcing vendors but that will disappear very soon. I am a Chinese and I start to learn English when I was 13, but last year when I was in China I met many 7-year-old kids who can speak English very well...
Response from:
Scott Sommers
(02/06/05 5:30am)
Yi Chen is correct for several reasons. First, business will go where it needs to go. Language barriers are a relatively small barrier. Second, while difficulties may continue, daily operations can be handled with a relatively low level of English proficiency. This standard of English competency is easily reached. Third, there is a large pool of highly competent speakers of Mandarin and other Chinese languages already available. And fourth, as Mr. Chen points out, Chinese professional workers are rapidly catching up on their English skills.
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