Term Paper on

Why Multinationals Companies are selecting Indians over Bangladeshis

113-Tarek

Introduction

The ascent of Indian CEOs in major corporations reflects a long-standing trend rooted in factors
unique to India's socio-economic landscape. By contrast, Bangladesh has yet to witness a
comparable surge in its representation at the upper echelons of multinational firms. In 2018, 10%
of Fortune 500 companies were helmed by Indian-born CEOs, showcasing India's prowess in
global corporate leadership. This phenomenon underscores India's expansive talent pool,
bolstered by its large population and robust educational infrastructure, which annually churns out
millions of graduates. Moreover, Indian professionals are renowned for their adaptability and
work ethic, traits highly sought after in today's globalized business environment. Additionally,
India's integration into the digital age has facilitated exposure to international markets and
practices, further enhancing the competitiveness of its workforce. In contrast, Bangladesh faces
challenges such as limited infrastructure, a smaller talent pool, and fewer opportunities for global
exposure, constraining the emergence of Bangladeshi CEOs on the global stage. However,
concerted efforts in education, infrastructure development, and business environment reforms
could potentially bridge this gap, paving the way for Bangladesh to emulate India's trajectory in
the future. While India has seen a significant rise in the number of Indian CEOs leading big
companies globally, the same trend hasn't been as pronounced in Bangladesh. There are several
reasons for this difference:

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1. Indian DNA

When comparing India and Bangladesh in the context of resilience and adaptability, it's evident
that India has made greater strides. India's population size, similar to Bangladesh, poses
challenges such as dysfunctional infrastructure, corruption, and bureaucratic hurdles. However,
India's response to these challenges has been marked by a remarkable culture of resilience and
innovation. Indians have shown a predisposition towards alternative approaches, disruptive
ideas, and heightened perseverance levels, which have allowed them to navigate through
obstacles effectively. This is reflected in the success stories of individuals like Arvind Krishna,
Raj Subramaniam, and Satya Nadella, who have demonstrated longevity and groundbreaking
results in their careers despite facing challenges.

On the other hand, while Bangladesh faces similar issues, its societal response to these
challenges may not be as pronounced. The culture of resilience and adaptability, while present to
some extent, may not be as deeply ingrained or widespread as in India. Bangladesh continues to
grapple with infrastructure deficiencies, institutionalized corruption, and bureaucratic
inefficiencies, which can hinder progress and innovation.

Furthermore, in terms of global impact and presence in multinational corporations, India has
produced a greater number of influential leaders like Nadella, Krishna, and Subramaniam. Their
extensive tenures in major companies like Microsoft, IBM, and FedEx showcase not only
individual resilience but also the broader culture of perseverance and adaptability within India.

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2. They made the most of their opportunity

The comparison between India and Bangladesh in the context of sending skilled professionals to
the West, particularly in the technology industry, reveals a significant discrepancy between the
two countries. While India has been a notable contributor to the skilled workforce in the United
States and other Western countries, Bangladesh lags behind in this aspect.

Firstly, India's historic ties with the West, dating back to the Immigration and Nationality Act of
1965, have paved the way for a substantial influx of Indian professionals, particularly in the
technology sector. This trend has been further accentuated by a subsequent wave of highly
educated Indians pursuing advanced degrees in prestigious Western universities, as exemplified
by Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai. In contrast, Bangladesh has not experienced a comparable
surge in sending skilled professionals to the West, particularly in the technology industry.

Secondly, the educational achievements of Indian professionals, with many obtaining advanced
degrees from renowned institutions such as Stanford University and the University of Chicago
Booth School of Business, highlight the robust educational infrastructure and opportunities
available in India. On the other hand, while Bangladesh does send students abroad for education,
the scale and impact of this migration on the global workforce, particularly in high-demand
sectors like technology, are not as significant as India's.

Thirdly, the dominance of Indian software engineers in obtaining work permits in the United
States underscores the high demand for Indian talent in the global technology market. This
demand is a testament to India's strong presence in the global technology sector, a position that
Bangladesh has yet to achieve on a comparable scale.

Overall, the disparity in sending skilled professionals to the West, coupled with India's robust
educational infrastructure and dominance in the global technology market, underscores India's
advancement in this context compared to Bangladesh. While Bangladesh has made strides in
various sectors, it remains behind India in terms of exporting skilled professionals to the West,
particularly in high-demand industries like technology.
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3. A Robust Tech Culture

The comparison between India and Bangladesh in terms of their educational systems and the
resulting tech culture underscores significant disparities, with India showcasing a more advanced
and conducive environment for nurturing STEM talent compared to Bangladesh.

Firstly, in India, there is a strong emphasis on STEM education within the educational system.
Math and science subjects are prioritized, with parents often encouraging their children to pursue
STEM-related disciplines. This cultural emphasis on STEM education has fostered a robust tech
culture in India, which predates the global trend towards STEM. Conversely, in Bangladesh, the
educational system is criticized for its focus on rote memorization rather than critical thinking
and problem-solving skills. This approach limits students' ability to excel in STEM subjects and
stifles innovation and creativity.

Secondly, India boasts prestigious academic institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology
(IITs), known for their high educational standards and rigorous selection process. These
institutions produce top-tier graduates who are highly sought after in the global tech industry.
The alumni of IITs, such as Sundar Pichai, Arvind Krishna, and others, have gone on to lead
major Fortune 500 companies. In contrast, Bangladesh lacks similar institutions with the same
level of international recognition and quality education in STEM fields.

Thirdly, India's software industry has played a pivotal role in nurturing tech talent and driving
innovation. A significant portion of engineers in Silicon Valley are of Indian descent, reflecting
the global impact of India's tech ecosystem. This thriving software industry provides
opportunities for Indian professionals to gain valuable experience and expertise in cutting-edge
technologies. In contrast, Bangladesh faces challenges related to limited access to technology
and a digital divide between students and teachers. This hinders the integration of technology in
classroom instruction and impedes students' exposure to modern tools and resources.

Overall, while India has established itself as a global hub for tech talent and innovation,
Bangladesh lags behind due to shortcomings in its educational system and limited access to
technology. To bridge this gap, Bangladesh needs to prioritize reforms in its education system,
promote STEM education, and invest in technology infrastructure to nurture a competitive tech
culture and workforce.

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4. A Great Propensity to Adapt

While India's proficiency in English can be attributed to its historical ties with the
Commonwealth of Nations, including British colonial influence, Bangladesh lags behind in this
aspect. Despite also being a former British colony, Bangladesh's English language proficiency is
generally lower compared to India. This discrepancy can be attributed to various factors,
including differences in education systems, socioeconomic development, and exposure to
English-speaking environments.

Furthermore, India's diverse and pluralistic society, coupled with robust democratic institutions,
fosters an environment conducive to healthy debate, dissent, and innovation. This environment
cultivates individuals who are adept at adapting to various economic, political, and social
conditions, particularly in Western countries. In contrast, Bangladesh faces challenges in
achieving similar levels of pluralism and democratic governance. Political instability, corruption,
and limitations in freedom of expression hinder Bangladesh's progress in these areas.

Moreover, India's strong emphasis on education, coupled with its reputation for producing fast
learners, further accentuates its advantage over Bangladesh. While both countries share
similarities in terms of multi-ethnic and multi-religious societies, India's larger population and
more developed infrastructure provide a broader platform for individuals to excel and adapt to
global standards.

Overall, while Bangladesh shares some commonalities with India, including historical colonial
ties and diverse societies, it trails behind in aspects such as English language proficiency,
democratic governance, and educational attainment, thus limiting its ability to adapt to and thrive
in Western environments to the extent seen in India.

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5. Dogged Work Ethic

When comparing the work ethic between India and Bangladesh, it's evident that both countries
value hard work and dedication. However, India appears to have a more entrenched culture of
long working hours and relentless dedication to professional success. Indians are known for their
willingness to blur the lines between work and personal life, often putting in long hours at school
and in the office, even sacrificing weekends for work. Figures like former Pepsi CEO Indra
Nooyi exemplify this commitment, with her legendary work ethic and willingness to work from
midnight to raise funds for her education and later continuing to maintain rigorous work
schedules even at the highest levels of corporate leadership.

On the other hand, while Bangladesh also has individuals with strong work ethics, the culture of
working long hours and sacrificing personal time for professional advancement may not be as
widespread or deeply ingrained. Factors such as differences in societal norms, historical context,
and economic development could contribute to this disparity. Bangladesh, with its own set of
challenges and priorities, may not prioritize the same level of work devotion observed in India.
Consequently, in terms of the intensity of work ethic and the willingness to make personal
sacrifices for professional success, India appears to be ahead of Bangladesh. However, it's
essential to acknowledge that these observations are generalized and may not apply uniformly to
all individuals or sectors within each country.

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6. The Death of Discrimination

While both India and Bangladesh have seen individuals rise to leadership positions in global
multinationals, the extent of representation and impact differs between the two countries. In the
context of meritocracy and the selection of CEOs based on qualifications and abilities rather than
race or nationality, India has made significant strides. With a robust education system, a culture
of hard work and resilience, and a large pool of highly qualified professionals, India has
produced a notable number of CEOs who have led major corporations to unprecedented growth
and success, as exemplified by Satya Nadella's tenure at Microsoft. These Indian CEOs often
ascend to leadership positions based on their proven track records, educational achievements,
and character strengths.

In contrast, Bangladesh lags behind in this context. Despite having a growing economy and a
population with similar attributes like resilience and work ethic, the country faces challenges
such as limited access to quality education and a less-developed corporate ecosystem. As a
result, Bangladesh has not produced as many globally recognized CEOs, nor has it seen the same
level of representation in key leadership roles within multinational corporations. The absence of
a robust meritocratic system and the prevalence of other socio-economic challenges contribute to
this disparity.

Thus, while both countries have individuals capable of excelling in leadership roles, India's
advancement in promoting meritocracy and providing opportunities for its talented workforce
has positioned it ahead of Bangladesh in terms of producing globally impactful CEOs and
leaders in the corporate world.

113-Tarek

Conclusion

the comparison between India and Bangladesh reveals significant disparities across multiple
dimensions, including resilience and adaptability, educational infrastructure, tech culture,
English proficiency, work ethic, and meritocracy in leadership. India's socio-economic
landscape, characterized by a robust education system, emphasis on STEM education, and a
culture of innovation and perseverance, has propelled it to produce globally influential leaders
and CEOs in major corporations. In contrast, Bangladesh faces challenges such as limited access
to quality education, infrastructure deficiencies, and less-developed corporate ecosystems,
hindering its ability to cultivate a comparable cadre of leaders. While both countries share some
commonalities, including historical ties and societal attributes like work ethic and resilience,
India's advancements in various domains position it ahead of Bangladesh in terms of global
impact and representation in multinational corporations. Addressing these disparities will require
concerted efforts in education, infrastructure development, and fostering a culture of meritocracy
and innovation in Bangladesh to emulate India's trajectory in the future.