Over the many years that I’ve been working in China outsourcing, the Indian competitors have always had one recurring theme.  Sometimes they dress it up in different ways, but it always boils down to something like, “India’s business ethics are completely consistent with western standards.”  This is usually followed by some attempt to create fear, uncertainty and doubt about the business ethics in China.  I’ve never believed this baloney, and I’ve just been waiting for the truth to come out.  Now it’s busting out all over the place.  The latest issue involves Wipro and the World Bank.  According to a story in the Wall Street Journal: (sorry subscription required, but the story is literally everywhere)

“In another blow to India’s already-reeling technology industry, the World Bank disclosed it had barred two Indian outsourcing firms, Wipro Technologies and Megasoft Consultants Ltd., from doing work with the bank’s headquarters.”

One of the best parts is the lame failure to accept responsibility from Wipro’s CFO:

“If we knew about [the World Bank’s debarment policies], we wouldn’t have done it,”

Yeah, right.  The same story notes that the institution also smacked Satyam in September:

“The bank had barred Satyam in September for eight years, also for allegedly providing ‘improper benefits to bank staff,’ but the bank didn’t announce that until December.”

I’m certainly not claiming that China is perfect, but let’s not tolerate this “Chinese companies have questionable business ethics” nonsense from our Indian friends for another moment.

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