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The use of expatriates in the offshoring of services - Framework and research propositions

Author

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  • Florence Duvivier
  • Carine Peeters

Abstract

This paper studies the propensity of using expatriates as one type of international transfer assignees in the context of service offshoring operations. It proposes a theoretical framework that explains the choice of using expatriates as a function of the five main characteristics of offshoring projects: the objectives pursued with offshoring - cost savings, service and process improvement, or innovation and learning -, the type of task offshored - more or less advanced -, the host country risks – the inter-firm relationship or the environmental uncertainty to the offshoring firm -, the offshore governance mode - captive or outsourcing -, and the size of the project. The framework also incorporates firm level moderating factors that are experience (with offshoring and with expatriations) and size. Research propositions provide a framework for companies and researchers to approach international transfer assignment decisions for service offshoring activities in a more systematic way.

Suggested Citation

  • Florence Duvivier & Carine Peeters, 2011. "The use of expatriates in the offshoring of services - Framework and research propositions," Working Papers CEB 11-059, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    • Handle: RePEc:sol:wpaper:2013/105661
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Gooris, Julien & Peeters, Carine, 2014. "Home–Host Country Distance in Offshore Governance Choices," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 20(1), pages 73-86.
    2. Julien Gooris & Carine Peeters, 2012. "Home-Host Country Distance and Governance Choices in Service Offshoring," Working Papers ECARES ECARES 2012-007, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    3. Philip Müller & Martin Franz, 2019. "Transnational labour migration and the offshoring of knowledge-intensive business services within global production networks: The case of a German automotive company in Turkey," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 51(6), pages 1350-1369, September.

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    Keywords

    offshoring; services; expatriates; international assignment;
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