Media :
Availability:
Available to listen.
Last broadcast on Sun, 1 May 2011, 15:05 on BBC World Service (see all broadcasts).
Synopsis
Do we have to fake it to make it? We look at the subterfuge and posturing of the business world. Are big bonuses simply there for bankers to boost their image and line their pockets, rather than actually improve performance?
And to theatre of a different kind – the Indian call centre workers who are paid to mimic their Western counterparts. But how has this affected their sense of self?
And the secret double dealing where both sides are conspiring for a product which is second best.
Guest presenter Lyse Doucet is joined by Israeli behavioural economist Dan Ariely, American sociologist Shehzad Nadeem, and Italian philosopher Gloria Origgi.
Illustration by Emily Kasriel: being inspired by big bonuses to settle for second best in the world of India call centres.
Dan Ariely
The posturing of bankers when it comes to big bonuses, but are these financial incentives actually working? Israeli behavioural economist Dan Ariely has surprising insights into the behaviour of big earners.
Shehzad Nadeem
The masquerade of outsourcing in India and how it’s changing the way Indians see themselves. Sociologist Shehzad Nadeem tells us more about the Indian call centre workers who are trained to mimic the Westerners they have replaced.
Gloria Origgi
The Italian philosopher Gloria Origgi on the double dealing in the world of commerce and the preference for low quality exchanges. She explains why in business people sometimes prefer the worst rather than the best.
Forum Studio
Gloria Origgi and Presenter Lyse Doucet in the Forum studio in Bush House.
Outside Bush House
Gloria Origgi travelled from Paris to London's Bush House for the programme.
SIXTY SECOND IDEA TO CHANGE THE WORLD
Disclose social ingredients in products...
American sociologist Shehzad Nadeem wants companies to disclose the labour conditions of the workers who make their products. That way informed consumers would then be voting for particular ways of producing things when they buy goods.
In Next Week’s Programme:
Why treating people like objects is at the root of the most heinous of crimes with autism expert Simon Baron-Cohen, mafia investigator Federico Varese and Indian novelist Radhika Jha.
Chapters
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Chapter 1
Surprising insights into the behaviour of big earners...
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Chapter 2
Outsourcing in India is changing the way Indians see themselves...
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Chapter 3
Companies should be required to disclose the 'social ingredients' in products...
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Chapter 4
Business double-dealing means people connive to get a low quality exchange...
Broadcasts
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Sat 30 Apr 201109:05
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Sat 30 Apr 201122:05
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Sun 1 May 201102:05
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Sun 1 May 201115:05
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