Department of Economics of St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata (SXUK) organised a special lecture on July 17, 2025 at the university campus. The topic was “Let it be”: Motivating Workers Through Task Autonomy.

Dr. Utteeyo Dasgupta, Associate Professor and Prof Subha Mani, Professor of Economics at the Fordham University, USA were the invited speakers.

Prof. Dasgupta delivered the lecture on their research on how autonomy in the workplace on various non-pecuniary dimensions may prove to be more productive than the historically established work environment with tightly defined jobs, rates of pay, clearly defined roles of power between employers and workers. Their research established that greater autonomy leads to higher productivity and job satisfaction and also procedural autonomy is a great motivator in the workplace. The engrossing lecture was followed by a brief interactive session.

Prof. Subha Mani discussed various opportunities available for higher education in Economics at Fordham University, like a fully funded doctoral programme, the university’s location advantage, extensive research works of the university and placements grabbed by its students. Students found the session highly enriching.

Dr. Chayanika Mitra