Background

The case studies discussed in this book thus far have concerned the work relationships of North American or European firms and Indian software companies. This chapter is different from the other case studies as it concerns relationships between firms from two Asian countries, Japan and India. The focus is also not on one particular relationship analysed over time. Instead a ‘snap-shot view’ is provided of a number of firms, in Japan and in India, that are engaged in or attempting to start GSAs. Since many of the relationships are not yet developed but in a stage of planning and projection, a large part of the analysis is based more on the managers' expectations of what issues will develop in the GSA rather than on actual experience. However, understanding these expectations is crucial because they shape the attitudes and actions of the people involved in the GSA. Although the cross-sectional research design is guided by pragmatic considerations of access and the intention of identifying and exploring interesting relationships and issues, it also reflects the current state of the business environment where GSAs between Japanese and Indian firms for software development are still in their infancy. While the success of East Asian firms in a variety of domains, including consumer electronics and automobiles, is well known, they are feeling the pressure to become globally competitive by strengthening the software component of their products.