It is a fact that technological sophistication is a sine qua non for rendering prompt and efficient services. The major challenge faced by the IT industry is in the field of Human Resource Development (HRD). In order to involve the employees as active participants, HRD activities must be consistent with the development efforts of the organization; only then, will the enthusiasm and creative potential of the employees be mobilized. The IT industry has given HRD the chance to be more creative. At a time when the winds of change are blowing across the entire IT industry, the innovative policies and trends adopted by HR professionals may help the industry to reach a new level of maturity and strength. The ESOPs (Employee Stock Options) offered by Infosys and Hewlett Packard (HP) to their employees; the open culture of Wipro and HP; and STEP (Software Technology and Entrepreneurial Program) of Satyam Computers are benchmarks in the Indian IT industry. The major findings of this paper are based on a descriptive research design undertaken with the help of structured questionnaires to study the HRD climate for marketing professionals in the IT Industry. The data is based on the responses received from five top management personnel and 25 marketing personnel from a sample of five IT organizations, in 2003. Certain statistical tools are employed in the study for assessing whether the hypotheses formed at the beginning of the study are valid or not. The results show that the effective HRD climate of the sample organizations do not differ significantly.

Researchers worldwide, have come to a conclusion that good HR practices and policies can go a long way in influencing business growth and development. People are the most important and valuable resource that an organization has, in the form of its employees. Human Resource Development (HRD) is, thus, a continuous process to ensure the development of employee competencies, dynamism, motivation and effectiveness in a systematic and planned way. Hence, HRD is concerned with the development of human resources and optimum utilization of existing human capabilities-intellectual, technological, entrepreneurial and creation of new ones, in an organization.

It is very important to recognize that employees are an integral part of the organization, and must be motivated according to the needs of the organization, as they are absolutely vital to the long-term future of the organization. In order to involve the employees as active participants, HRD activities must be consistent with the development efforts of the organization; only then the enthusiasm and creative potential of the employees can be mobilized. The national and international organizations have introduced a number of policies and tools for the benefit of the employees at each level. Leading organizations in this direction among others are Wipro and NIIT.

Management Research Journal, Human Resources Development, Indian IT Companies, ESOPs, Employee Stock Options, Software Technology and Entrepreneurial Program, Marketing Professionals, Statistical Tools, Organizational Development, Larsen & Toubro Ltd., Technological Innovation, Infosys Technologies, ANOVA , Analysis of Variance, Total Quality Management.