Impact of COVID-19 on the Efficiency of Indian IT Companies

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on Indian information technology enterprises using data from the 10 largest IT firms listed on the Nifty IT index. Data were sourced from the PROWESS IQ database for 2017–2022. Input-oriented data envelopment analysis (DEA) using CCR and BCC models was applied by taking gross revenue as an output and labour, costs of fuel, materials, power, administrative and general costs as input variables. The study finds a positive although not statistically significant difference in the efficiency of Nifty IT companies during COVID-19 compared to pre-pandemic levels. Additionally, firms experienced higher scale efficiency compared to production efficiency growth throughout 2020–2022. Around 70% of Nifty IT firms faced a decreased efficiency in input utilization during the COVID-19 outbreak. Further, 50% of Nifty IT firms operated under increasing returns to scale and required expansion of business in 2021–2022. The dimensions of returns to scale exhibited stability in the long run. Companies with increasing returns to scale had a 7% lower average technical efficiency than firms with decreasing returns to scale. Large firms demonstrated better scale efficiency. The results of the study can be used by managers to increase the efficiency of firms.