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Offshore outsourcing of services: An evolutionary perspective

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  • Tate, Wendy L.
  • Ellram, Lisa M.
  • Bals, Lydia
  • Hartmann, Evi

Abstract

Offshore outsourcing is gaining increasing importance and attention in both theory and practice. The purpose of this research is to use nine in-depth case studies to analyze the evolution of offshore services outsourcing with regard to how expectations and governance structures change over time. Five testable propositions are presented, building on institutional theory, transaction cost, and resource-based perspectives. The cases demonstrate that offshore outsourcing is initiated because of increasing internal and external pressure to conform and reduce costs. Moreover, companies "chase" efficiency improvements in other geographic locations. But after reducing costs, companies discover more strategic benefits such as the potential to increase quality and market share. Importantly, as buyer-supplier relationships move from tactical to more strategic, expectations and governance structures change.

Suggested Citation

  • Tate, Wendy L. & Ellram, Lisa M. & Bals, Lydia & Hartmann, Evi, 2009. "Offshore outsourcing of services: An evolutionary perspective," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 120(2), pages 512-524, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:proeco:v:120:y:2009:i:2:p:512-524
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    Cited by:

    1. Bustinza, O.F. & Arias-Aranda, D. & Gutierrez-Gutierrez, L., 2010. "Outsourcing, competitive capabilities and performance: an empirical study in service firms," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 126(2), pages 276-288, August.
    2. Timo Mitze & Fabian Kreutzer, 2023. "Relocation, innovation, and the difference that firm size makes: Insights for global sourcing strategies of SMEs," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 354-384, September.
    3. Klassen, Robert D. & Vereecke, Ann, 2012. "Social issues in supply chains: Capabilities link responsibility, risk (opportunity), and performance," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 140(1), pages 103-115.
    4. Zorzini, Marta & Stevenson, Mark & Hendry, Linda C., 2014. "Coordinating offshored operations in emerging economies: A contingency-based study," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 323-339.
    5. Lo, Chris K.Y. & Yeung, Andy C.L. & Edwin Cheng, T.C., 2011. "Meta-standards, financial performance and senior executive compensation in China: An institutional perspective," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 129(1), pages 119-126, January.
    6. Godfrey Mugurusi & Lydia Bals, 2017. "A processual analysis of the purchasing and supply organization in transition: the impact of offshoring," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 64-83, June.
    7. Di Mauro, Carmela & Ancarani, Alessandro, 2022. "A taxonomy of back-shoring initiatives in the US," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(5).
    8. McIvor, Ronan & Bals, Lydia, 2021. "A multi-theory framework for understanding the reshoring decision," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(6).
    9. Anna Bagienska, 2016. "Professional Knowledge and Skills as a Key Factor in the Development of the Outsourcing of Financial and Accounting Services in Poland (Wyspecjalizowana wiedza i umiejêtnosci determinanta rozwoju outs," Research Reports, University of Warsaw, Faculty of Management, vol. 1(20), pages 52-64.
    10. Lee, Su-Yol & Klassen, Robert D. & Furlan, Andrea & Vinelli, Andrea, 2014. "The green bullwhip effect: Transferring environmental requirements along a supply chain," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 39-51.
    11. Dachs, Bernhard & Kinkel, Steffen & Jäger, Angela, 2019. "Bringing it all back home? Backshoring of manufacturing activities and the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 54(6), pages 1-1.
    12. Zorzini, Marta & Stevenson, Mark & Hendry, Linda C., 2012. "Customer Enquiry Management in global supply chains: A comparative multi-case study analysis," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 30(2), pages 121-140.
    13. Alicia Rodríguez & María Jesús Nieto, 2016. "Does R&D offshoring lead to SME growth? Different governance modes and the mediating role of innovation," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(8), pages 1734-1753, August.
    14. Lydia Bals & Jon F. Kirchoff & Kai Foerstl, 2016. "Exploring the reshoring and insourcing decision making process: toward an agenda for future research," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 9(3), pages 102-116, December.
    15. Mukherjee, Debmalya & Kumar, Satish & Pandey, Nitesh & Lahiri, Somnath, 2023. "Is offshoring dead? A multidisciplinary review and future directions," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 29(3).
    16. Pournader, Mehrdokht & Kach, Andrew & Fahimnia, Behnam & Sarkis, Joseph, 2019. "Outsourcing performance quality assessment using data envelopment analytics," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 207(C), pages 173-182.
    17. Mazzola, Erica & Perrone, Giovanni, 2013. "A strategic needs perspective on operations outsourcing and other inter-firm relationships," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 144(1), pages 256-267.
    18. Wagner, Stephan M. & Sutter, Reto, 2012. "A qualitative investigation of innovation between third-‐party logistics providers and customers," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 140(2), pages 944-958.
    19. Kenyon, G.N. & Meixell, M.J. & Westfall, P.H., 2016. "Production outsourcing and operational performance: An empirical study using secondary data," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 171(P3), pages 336-349.
    20. Schoenherr, Tobias, 2012. "The role of environmental management in sustainable business development: A multi-country investigation," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 140(1), pages 116-128.
    21. Caniato, Federico & Elia, Stefano & Luzzini, Davide & Piscitello, Lucia & Ronchi, Stefano, 2015. "Location drivers, governance model and performance in service offshoring," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 189-199.
    22. Mohammad Iranmanesh & Sajad Fayezi & Suhaiza Hanim & Sunghyup Sean Hyun, 2019. "Drivers and outcomes of eco-design initiatives: a cross-country study of Malaysia and Australia," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 13(5), pages 1121-1142, November.
    23. Lahiri, Somnath & Karna, Amit & Chittaranjan Kalubandi, Sai & Edacherian, Saneesh, 2022. "Performance implications of outsourcing: A meta-analysis," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 1303-1316.
    24. Elisa Arrigo, 2020. "Global Sourcing in Fast Fashion Retailers: Sourcing Locations and Sustainability Considerations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-22, January.
    25. Barbaglia, Martina & Bianchini, Roberto & Butticè, Vincenzo & Elia, Stefano & Mariani, Marcello M., 2023. "The role of environmental sustainability in the relocation choices of MNEs: Back to the home country or welcome in a new host country?," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 29(5).

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