The Algorithmic Glass Ceiling: A Socio-Technical Management Framework for Mitigating Bias in AI-Driven Recruitment for Indian SMEs

Asst. Prof. Sampada Mavalankar; Asst. Prof. Manimekhalai Sethuraman Iyer

Title:
The Algorithmic Glass Ceiling: A Socio-Technical Management Framework for Mitigating Bias in AI-Driven Recruitment for Indian SMEs

Authors:
Asst. Prof. Manimekhalai Sethuraman Iyer | Asst. Prof. Sampada Mavalankar

Cite This Article :

Asst. Prof. Manimekhalai Sethuraman Iyer | Asst. Prof. Sampada Mavalankar "The Algorithmic Glass Ceiling: A Socio-Technical Management Framework for Mitigating Bias in AI-Driven Recruitment for Indian SMEs" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Special Issue | International Conference on Reimagining Management-Sustainability and Innovation in the AI Era, March 2026, pp.100-103, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd101921.pdf

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Abstract :
As Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in India transition toward automated management, AI-driven Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) have become the primary gatekeepers of employment. However, these innovations often carry an "Algorithmic Glass Ceiling"—a systemic bias that marginalizes candidates based on linguistic accents, institutional backgrounds, and digital formatting literacy. This paper investigates the shift from human-centric to machine-centric hiring in India. By analyzing the "Tokenization Gap" and "Data Colonialism," the study proposes a "Transparent-Inclusion Framework" (The 3-A Audit). The research concludes that for AI to be a sustainable tool in Indian management, it must be redesigned to recognize merit over "keyword compliance," ensuring that the 63 million SMEs in India can tap into the country’s diverse talent pool.

Keywords :
Algorithmic Bias, AI Recruitment, SMEs in India (Small and Medium Enterprises), Black Box Theory, HR Tech Ethics, Linguistic Diversity, Human-in-the-Loop (HITL).

Publication Details:

Unique Identification Number : IJTSRD101921

Published In : Special Issue | International Conference on Reimagining Management-Sustainability and Innovation in the AI Era, March 2026

Page Number(s) : 100-103

Publisher Name : IJTSRD | www.ijtsrd.com | E-ISSN 2456-6470

Copyright © 2019 by author(s) and International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development Journal. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0) (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)

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