Challenges and issues in implementing knowledge management in a software off-shore development centre: Wipro Technologies

Abstract

Within the last few years, the sphere of knowledge management (KM) has gathered a lot of interest in the Information technology sector. Although there is no commonly agreed upon scope of knowledge management, major IT companies are demonstrating an increasing interest in the topic and are investing in training , deployment and investment in Knowledge Management activities. There is an increasing realization among the Indian software companies like Wipro about the benefits offered by the KM, viz. reducing the impact of knowledge worker attrition, improved quality, improved productivity and enhanced customer satisfaction . Embedded and Internet Access Vertical is a part of Wipro Technologies .It has established itself as a leading services vendor in the global arena .Within this ,Wipro-HP ODC is an offshore development center (ODC) which caters to the vast needs of all Hewlett Packard global software requirements .Currently the team strength is around two hundred and fifty engineers. The new world of business puts less premium on playing by pre-defined rules and more on understanding and adapting as the rules of the game itself-keeps changing. The ODC by vary nature has to adapt to these paradigm shifts to remain viable. Also , increasing competitive pressures and technological changes have forced the ODC to rethink and redirect its strategy and look at innovative techniques in building , disseminating , propagating and sustaining the niche knowledge gained from projects undertaken by the ODC