Strategic Outsourcing of IT Services: Theoretical Stocktaking and Empirical Challenges

Abstract

This paper presents a review of existing theoretical perspectives and empirical work on strategic IT outsourcing. By presenting the main findings of various recent studies and elaborating on current research gaps it conveys a picture of the past research, the present findings and the future applications of IT outsourcing. Prior research has generated theoretical insights and largely qualitative evidence on IT outsourcing. While quantitative studies remain sparse, limited to decision making and performance, there is a lack of quantitative empirical research examining outsourcing processes more comprehensively. This paper outlines a simple, yet integrative process model and develops propositions, which serve to integrate and compare theoretical strands, to evaluate existing empirical research and to stimulate new avenues of empirical research.Strategic outsourcing, IT services, stocktaking, empirical challenges,

Offshore Middlemen: Transnational Intermediation in Technology Sourcing

“…This can result from differences in current information or from different ways of thinking and communicating. In an offshoring context, cognitive distance often arises when relatively lesser-skilled clients attempt to access a high level of expertise at comparatively lower costs (Mahnke et al, 2005). This is precisely where an offshore intermediary can add value.…”

“…The literature on outsourcing IT partnerships is extensive and often highlights the unexpected complexities of managing outsourcing relationships (Earl, 1996;Mahnke et al, 2005). Frequently, the anticipated cost reductions promised in outsourcing partnerships are not realized due to unforeseen complications.…”

“…However, a secondary incentive, higher levels of skill and specialization, is also cited more frequently in managerial discourse (Dedene and DeVreese, 1995;Pfannenstein and Tsai, 2004). Most of the offshoring literature studies the outsourcing firm (Mahnke et al, 2005), but there is also a growing and important body of literature focusing on the outsourcing vendor (Levina and Ross, 2003). This paper focuses on intermediation capabilities necessary to span boundaries between a client and an offshoring partner's value creation systems.…”

Review of 23 Years of Empirical Research on Information Technology Outsourcing Decisions and Outcomes

“…There is great value in conducting a literature review that finds a succinct way to summarize findings across studies, and indeed prior literature reviews summarized the ITO research in terms of research methods used [9], theories used [9] [25], critical success factors [12], and the most influential articles and researchers [3]. The most comprehensive review of empirical findings was published in Lacity et al [18].…”

Teoria dos custos de mensuração no setor automotivo

“…Conforme a TCT, a escolha pela produção interna ocorre quando existe elevado nível de especificidade de ativos, com a consequente possibilidade de comportamento oportunista e com a justificável opção pelo controle do processo produtivo (COASE, 1937;DAVID;HAN, 2014;KLEIN et al, 1978;MAHNKE;OVERBY;VANG, 2005;WILLIAMSON, 1975;1985;1996). A escolha pelas contratações, por sua vez, justifica-se na presença de níveis moderados de investimentos em ativos específicos, capazes de conter o oportunismo sem os custos extras da integração vertical (WILLIAMSON, 1985).…”