348 | Making Work Work for Women in India with Achyuta Adhvaryu
Achyuta Adhvaryu is a Tata Chancellor's Endowed Professor of Economics, UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy and the Co-founder and CEO of the Good Business Lab. Good Business Lab uses rigorous research to find a common ground between worker wellbeing and business interests. They have positively impacted the lives of 200K+ workers in 30 ongoing projects around the world.
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Resources mentioned in this episode include:
Women in the Workforce in India: Interview Transcript with Achyuta Adhvaryu
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Key Topics on Women in the Workforce in India: Interview with Achyuta Adhvaryu
Achyuta Adhvaryu Introduction
Guest Introduction
Achyuta Adhvaryu’s background as a professor of economics.
Co-founder and CEO of Good Business Lab.
Aim to balance worker well-being with business interests.
Background and Motivation
Achyuta’s Personal Background
Born in India and raised in the US.
Influence of visits to India on understanding poverty.
Drive to impact societal change through academic and nonprofit work.
Workforce Participation Issues
Workforce Participation Issue in India
Only 25% of women participate in paid work outside the home.
Static figure despite India's economic growth.
Impact on personal empowerment and economic development.
Challenges for Women
Economic dependency and detrimental relationships.
Limited involvement in decision-making roles.
Hindered broader economic and societal growth.
Economic Opportunities and Their Impact
Positive Impacts
Increased workforce participation among women in India leads to empowerment and financial independence.
Better resource allocation for children.
Economic benefits and poverty addressal.
Barriers to Women's Workforce Participation
Primary Barriers Identified
Workplace discrimination.
Tough work environments.
Competing family demands.
Strategies for Retention
Improving workplace conditions.
Enhancing skills.
Increasing promotion opportunities.
Worker Voice and Agency
Importance of Worker Voice
Employees feeling heard in their workplace.
Programs like employee resource groups and anonymous communication channels.
Technology-Enabled Solutions
Anonymous reporting through apps to address grievances.
Promoting better workplace retention and reducing exit rates.
Platform Economy and Gig Economy
Challenges and Opportunities
Inclusion of women in the platform economy.
Ensuring jobs are beneficial and provide growth opportunities.
Good Business Lab’s Initiatives and Impact
Focus Areas and Scope
Improving conditions in the gig economy in regions like Latin America, the Caribbean, the US, and India.
Breaking barriers for women to access managerial roles.
Aim for businesses to invest in low-income workers and reducing adversarial relationships.
Long-Term Goals
Fundamental business changes in investments.
Difficulty in setting a precise timeline for achieving goals.
Research Methodologies and Trials
Approach and Importance
Rigorous trials similar to medical trials with treatment and control groups.
Rigorous impact measurement in the social sector akin to economist methodologies.
Challenges in Implementation
Issues of perceived fairness and data collection.
Importance of credible impact insights and methodologies.
Unexpected Outcomes and Learnings
Surprising results preventing costly mistakes.
Uncovering unexpected benefits.
Organizational Growth and Dissemination
Evolution of Good Business Lab
Started with a small team, expanded with more funding.
Current global presence and employee count.
Impact on workers through studies and indirect beneficiaries.
Dissemination of Findings
Use of accessible platforms to promote research findings.
Generating program adoption among businesses and governments.
Global and Local Impact
Local Efforts in India
Enhanced women's workplace voice leading to better retention and productivity.
Investments in soft skills like communication, teamwork, and leadership for frontline workers.
Trials on early salary access reducing turnover.
Global Efforts and Challenges
Similar challenges across Latin America, China, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean.
Issues with recruitment, promotion, and safe workplace environments.
Awareness and Support
Channels to support women's economic empowerment and workforce participation in India.
Encouragement for broader support through awareness.