Economic, political and social power of English in the information technology enabled service industry

Gail FOREY, Jane Elizabeth Mary LOCKWOOD

Research output: Contribution to conferencePapers

Abstract

In Asia by 2015, it is predicted that 15 million jobs will be generated in the Information Technology Enabled Service Industry (ITES), (NASSCOM McKinsey Report, 2005). A large percentage of this ITES industry in Asia is voice, i.e. ‘call centres’. In the Philippines, India, and other destinations, English is crucial for the development and growth of English speaking call centres servicing the USA, UK and Australian markets. In this paper we investigate the role the Government and big businesses play, in economic and political terms, in order to ensure the growth and development of this industry. Drawing on data from the Philippines, from a range of sources, such as government, media, and organizational texts, we investigate the political, educational and economic social engineering that is taking place to support the drive for a nation with high English language standards which can be employed in the call centre industry. The findings help us understand some of the fundamental changes in the workplace, education and society.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 2007
Event1st HCLS Conference on Becoming a World Language: the growth of Chinese, English and Spanish - City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Duration: 05 Dec 200707 Dec 2007

Conference

Conference1st HCLS Conference on Becoming a World Language: the growth of Chinese, English and Spanish
Country/TerritoryChina
CityHong Kong
Period05/12/0707/12/07

Citation

Forey, G., & Lockwood, J. (2007, December). Economic, political and social power of English in the information technology enabled service industry. Paper presented at the 1st HCLS Conference on Becoming a World Language: The Growth of Chinese, English and Spanish, City University of Hong Kong, China.

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