Mentor-Mentee Relationships in a Large Indian Manufacturing Organization

This article explores the factors that impact mentoring relationship through a qualitative study of 88 mentor- mentee pairs in a formal mentoring program in a large Indian manufacturing organization. The study found that if the intensity of interaction is high, frequency does not play a vital role. The mentor- mentee pairs have been classified on the basis of the nature of the relationship on a favorable -unfavorable continuum. The organization which has been chosen for the study is one of the few companies in the country to provide a formal structured mentoring program. The study has practical and theoretical implications as factors impacting successful mentoring relationship would contribute to future design of mentoring programs as a developmental intervention in Indian organizations.