Title: Information technology acquisition in the service sector

Authors: Rosine Hanna, Tugrul U. Daim

Addresses: Department of Engineering and Technology Management, Portland State University, P.O. Box 751, Portland OR 97207, USA. ' Department of Engineering and Technology Management, Portland State University, P.O. Box 751, Portland OR 97207, USA

Abstract: The objective of this research paper is to present and examine a conceptual model that helps realise the complexities of offshore outsourcing IT knowledge and service work. The model offers a simple yet potent way to recognise the intrinsic challenges that such strategies involve. The model compares well-established work in the manufacturing literature to present a sequential view of building organisational capability in offshore outsourcing in the IT service sector. The authors examined offshore sourcing decisions at three organisations through interviews with senior business executives in IT start-ups. A set of frameworks were developed to clarify sourcing options and aid managers in deciding which IT service functions to offshore outsource and which ones to retain in-house.

Keywords: offshoring outsourcing; knowledge-based process; decision making; services; information technology; IT acquisition; organisational capability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSCI.2010.029862

International Journal of Services Sciences, 2010 Vol.3 No.1, pp.21 - 39

Published online: 02 Dec 2009 *

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