A look at outsourcing offshore

Bahrami, Bahman

doi:10.1108/10595420910962089

Cited by 12 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…The results obtained from some previous studies are in line with the findings of the present study in that they have also came to the conclusion that the costs were decreased. For example, studies conducted in Kazakhstan and Iran confirmed cost reduction through outsourcing . Moreover, another study showed 15% reduction in the overall costs as a result of outsourcing .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In our study, improved quality was one of the achieved objectives. Evidences are inconsistent in this regard, so that the majority of studies do not confirm improved quality as a result of outsourcing . Supervisory gaps, prioritizing cost reduction regardless of quality, and differences in organizational practices can reduce the quality of services.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Outsourcing in Iranian hospitals: Findings from a qualitative study

Raeissi

Sokhanvar

Kakemam

2018

Health Planning & Management

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Outsourcing is used as a strategy to improve efficiency, quality, and satisfaction of beneficiaries in hospitals. This study aimed to determine the reasons for outsourcing, outsourced services, achieved objectives, and outsourcing challenges. This qualitative study was conducted through 58 face-to-face semi-structured interviews with chief executive officers (CEOs), chief financial officers (CFOs), and contracting experts (CEs) in 42 public hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used. Interviews were recorded digitally and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was performed based on an inductive-deductive approach via MAXQDA-10. The Participants included 26 CEOs, 15 CFOs, and 17 CEs. The most important reasons for outsourcing were divided into four main categories including financial resources and funding, customers, management, and factors related to the hospitals. Accessing to up-to-date knowledge and technology, improving service quality and accountability, focusing on strategic points, reducing workload, and increasing patient satisfaction turned out to be the positive outcomes of outsourcing. Weakness in laws and regulations, monitoring and assessment of an outsourced unit, creating dependency and changing organizational culture, as well as human resource issues were introduced as the main pitfalls and challenges of outsourcing. Based on the results, it was suggested that the hospital managers must attempt to outsource services by realistic analysis of the organization's current status. They should specify the reasons and objectives of outsourcing and make decisions based on outsourcing potentials. By taking the current challenges of outsourcing in Iranian hospitals into account, the authorities can make the most efficient decisions with regard to outsourcing.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Outsourcing in Iranian hospitals: Findings from a qualitative study

Raeissi

Sokhanvar

Kakemam

2018

Health Planning & Management

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“…Also, productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness could improve. Alvani and Bahrami and cheshmbareh in separate studies have expressed that outsourcing increases effectiveness due to a focus on core activities, improving services, taking advantage of specialized services of other organizations, improving performance, and increasing efficiency and flexibility of organizations [8,18,19]. Outsourcing of pharmacy at Tehran Firoozgar Hospital led to reduction of costs to zero and also the hospital obtained 100 million Rials per month from the pharmacy renting.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experts Opinions of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences about Outsourcing of Hospitals at Iran: A Qualitative Study

Jannati¹,

Mousazadeh

Beyrami³

2016

J Clin Res Gover

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Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the views of experts in the field of hospital administration at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences about outsourcing of hospitals. Methods: This study was qualitative and the data were collected through three focus group discussions that with twenty participants. These individuals were selected based on purposive sampling. Content analysis was used for data analysis after review by two university professors. Results: Four main themes and fifteen sub-themes were identified during the content analysis. The main themes included outsourcing concepts, context and conditions for outsourcing, different aspects of outsourcing in hospitals, and challenges facing outsourcing of hospital services in Iran. Conclusion: The participants believed that aim of outsourcing in hospitals was productivity and providing the best service for patients. However, implementation of this policy required appropriate rules and requirements. According to the obtained results, using professional managers, identifying units for outsourcing, determining steps of outsourcing process, and having strong regulations (as the most important factor) were the important and key points for outsourcing.

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“…Some respondents indicated that a decision to outsource services could lead to the enhancement of creativity in the HCO and to better quality services. Adopting a long-term view of the overall workforce situation, Bahrami (2009) noted that outsourcing services could actually initiate creativity and technical progress across an industry, increase the number of skilled and trained members in the workforce, and generate new products and industries. This study's findings from a workplace environment perspective also showed that some workers were optimistic that a decision to outsource services would facilitate and streamline their tasks.…”

Section: Workplace Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Concerns and hopes about outsourcing decisions regarding health information management services at two teaching hospitals in Semnan, Iran

Kahouei

Farrokhi

Abadi

et al. 2016

HIM J

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Background: Changes in health programs in Iran have led to an increase in administrative costs. One cost-saving option available to hospital administrators is to outsource administrative services. Objective: This study aimed to explore the attitudes of hospital staff towards outsourcing health information management services in advance of a decision being taken, to assist healthcare organisations to assess the potential benefits and challenges of outsourcing such services. Method: Six hundred and four clinical and allied health employees in two hospitals in Iran, who had had prior experience with outsourcing hospital services, responded to a survey designed to measure staff attitudes towards outsourcing health information management services, based on their perceptions of potential costs and benefits for the organisation and their own employment prospects. A 16-item attitude scale, developed by the researchers, was used in the study and demographic data were also collected. Results: Summary statistics showed that approximately one third of the sample (34.53%) had a negative view of outsourcing, one third (35.16%) had a positive view, and 30.31% were neutral. An exploratory factor analysis of items on the attitude scale identified three underlying constructs, labelled: data security and management; workplace environment; and staff and customer satisfaction. One item (concern about the impact of outsourcing on staffing levels) did not load on any of the factors. A separate analysis of this single item showed a significant relationship between the sex of participants and their views on the impact of outsourcing on the number of hospital staff employed (p<0.05). Conclusion: While results of this study indicated that staff in hospitals surveyed held both positive and negative views of outsourcing, a large number of staff in these hospitals (a third of the total sample) had reservations about the skills of outside providers to securely manage hospital data, and did not consider that outsourcing health information management services would be positive for the organisation, their working environment or for staff and patient satisfaction. These findings have important implications for healthcare organisations planning to outsource health information services. Further research that focuses on communication skills of senior managers and their ability to provide team leadership is needed, as is research into the impact of geographical location and current market forces that impact on outsourcing tasks.

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A look at outsourcing offshore

Cited by 12 publications

References 10 publications

Outsourcing in Iranian hospitals: Findings from a qualitative study

Outsourcing in Iranian hospitals: Findings from a qualitative study

Experts Opinions of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences about Outsourcing of Hospitals at Iran: A Qualitative Study

Concerns and hopes about outsourcing decisions regarding health information management services at two teaching hospitals in Semnan, Iran

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