Director's Desk

Dear Reader,

I'm delighted to unveil Episteme, a publication from SRITNE, ISB, showcasing the breadth of our research endeavours. In true alignment with its name, which signifies "knowledge," Episteme embodies our year-long pursuit of insights from industry and practice. It is made up of articles written by industry leaders and researchers, illuminating the truths we've meticulously uncovered.

Over the last three decades, the advent of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has disrupted many industries, created new opportunities, and vanquished a few old businesses. While for the first fifteen years or so, ICT often supplemented the core of businesses; it is only in the past decade and a half that we have witnessed a paradigm shift: ICT becoming foundational to many contemporary businesses.

True to this, in this issue, we present two broad instances of disruption unleashed by ICT.

Theme one: Indian Digital Platforms and the Future of Work

Over the past decade, India's rapid adoption of broadband internet has catalyzed the rise of platform-powered businesses across numerous sectors. These innovative enterprises not only deliver unprecedented value to consumers but also create myriad employment opportunities for those who desire flexible work or gigs, something that was previously unimaginable. Much has been written about the ability of platforms to alter the nature of work, for both blue- and white-collar workers. But are platforms the high tide that lifts all boats? Should they be regulated or allowed to self-regulate themselves? If flexibility was the primary obstacle impeding female participation in the labour force, have platforms demonstrably improved their plight? Finally, why are the white-collared gig platforms not as ubiquitous as the blue-collared platforms despite their obvious benefits? A series of articles delve into these inquiries, synthesizing a perspective on what might constitute the “ground truth.”

Theme two: Technology and the Future of Film Production in India

Comprising the Hindi film industry and a multitude of regional industries, the Indian film industry is known for its unique narrative sensibilities and its exuberant incorporation of music in its narratives. Of late, Indian films are becoming known not just for their unique and rooted narratives but also for their slick production values. What is the role of digitalization in this transformation? How did the industry switch to digital technologies? How does the prevalence of digital technologies influence production quality? And how do these alter how film production is managed?

An additional series of articles investigates these questions and provides insights into the multifaceted consequences of digitalization in the Indian film industry.

In a standalone article, two of my colleagues at the ISB studios draw from their recent experiences and take a stab at how multimedia technologies might well be the future of MBA education.

Our last few pages, provide a sneak peek into the activities of SRITNE including the research projects the centre funded, the computing help it provided, its outreach activities, and the educational materials it produced over the past year.

Whether this issue on technology and the future of work inspires you to innovate, collaborate, or simply learn something new, I hope this edition keeps fruitful conversations flowing!

Anand Nandkumar

Executive Director, SRITNE