About
The NASSCOM Foundation is driving technology for good and “changing India bit by bit.” They foster strategic relationships between technology and community development. Drawing strength from its parent body NASSCOM (National Association for Software Companies), the Foundation works in partnership with four major stakeholders: NASSCOM member companies, NGOs, emerging social enterprises and Government.
The Foundation aims to leverage the capabilities of Information Technology Business Process Management (IT-BPM) member companies of NASSCOM along with emerging social enterprises to meet the technology needs of NGOs and underserved communities across India with continuous support from the Government.
Their Impact Sourcing Work
The NASSCOM Foundation, with the support of the Rockefeller Foundation, is researching and supporting Impact Sourcing. Their initiative is targeted at increasing long-term employment in the BPM sector for those with limited opportunities. Impact Sourcing in India refers to an array of initiatives including:
- Rural Business Process Outsourcing (BPO/BPM) firms
- Mainstream players hiring excluded populations
- Specialized BPM firms for particularly vulnerable communities (i.e. the disabled)
The Foundation’s work to grow and support Impact Sourcing eco-system is divided into three pillars:
Researching the Impact Sourcing Eco-system
The NASSCOM Foundation carried out in-depth ‘market mapping’ in India to assess capabilities, strengths and challenges faced by Impact Sourcing Service Providers (ISSPs):
- Detailed research on engagement models
- Concerns and successes in Impact Sourcing
- Talent development
- Best practices
The research and advocacy has led to making Impact Sourcing a part of business conversations in the mainstream industry and has enticed companies to explore ISSP partnerships.
Deep Dive Case Studies
With over 5,000 ISSP worker seats across India, organizations with a range of clients and business models are enjoying success. However, overall growth has been slow. The NASSCOM Foundation conducted two in-depth case studies to document and illustrate the ways that successful ISSPs can address their most obstinate challenges.
Knowledge Dissemination and Sector Promotion
Bringing together stakeholders in the Impact Sourcing sector, the NASSCOM Foundation has facilitated deeper engagements between mainstream BPM firms and ISSPs. The NASSCOM Foundation will continue to work with mainstream BPM firms, ISSPs, clients, Governments, and international think tanks to create an enabling environment for Impact Sourcing to grow globally. Focusing on strengthening ISSP models in India, to take lessons to other regions like Africa, the NASSCOM Foundation will promote avenues for Impact Sourcing such as: BPM firms hiring from excluded communities and ISSPs moving to higher value services (i.e. digital publishing, medical services and knowledge services).
