Indian women business professionals were more confident of their career in a downturn, were willing to ask for a pay rise and promotion, compared to their global counterpart, but were reluctant compared to their Indian male counterparts when it came to relocating themselves to advance their career and travelling globally.
The India findings of the global research study conducted by leading global firm Accenture as part of the International Women's Day celebrations and released on Wednesday reveal that 61 per cent of women in India are feeling secure in the current economic scenario, as opposed to 56 per cent of males.
Interestingly, while globally women appeared more reluctant to ask for pay rise (48 per cent) compared to men (52 per cent), in India 53 per cent women surveyed said they were likely to ask for a pay raise compared to 57 per cent of men.
Also, globally, while just 37 per cent of women and 42 per cent men said that they had asked for a promotion, in India women came close at 51 per cent compared to 50 per cent males when it came to asking for promotions.
When it came to agility, global figures indicated, 52 per cent women are willing to travel globally for business and 41 per cent would consider relocating themselves to another country to advance their career, in India, women appeared reluctant compared to their male counterpart. While 68 per cent Indian men said they were willing to relocate, 58 per cent women said they were willing to do so.
While globally, 67 per cent women said they were learning new skills to move to the next level and 61 per cent said they they stretch themselves beyond the comfort zone regularly, in India, 75 per cent women said they were they were currently developing new skills as against 62 per cent men.
In India, 75 per cent women said they are flexible in their work schedule or negotiate their working hours, as compared to 85 per cent men. Sixty two per cent of Indian women said they were working harder to differentiate themselves form their colleagues, compared to 47 per cent men.
The survey, covering 3600 professionals across sectors in 18 countries between November and December 2008, including over 300 Indians, revealed that six out of 10 women think they were successful or very successful.
Reacting to the findings of the survey, Rekha Menon, executive vice president, India geographic services and human capital and diversity, Accenture India, said that the reluctance in Indian women relocating themselves could be due to the cultural difference and family constraints.
She opined that in the current environment,such decisions could impact career advancement.
"Agility is the key muscle to any business person", said Armelle Carminati-Rabasse, MD, human capital and diversity, Accenture in a teleconference from Paris.
