Title: What are the differences between related offset and outsourcing? A case study of a related offset business at Saab

Authors: Anna Fredriksson; Anna Malm; Kerstin Johansen

Addresses: Department of Science and Technology, Linköping University, Sweden ' Strategy and Business Development, Saab Aeronautics, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Management and Engineering, Linköping University, Sweden ' Department of Management and Engineering, Linköping University, Sweden

Abstract: The purpose is to study the differences between outsourcing and related offset. The identified differences should serve as a starting point to develop a more general related offset framework. The paper is based on an indepth case study of a related offset business at Saab, a Swedish military aircraft producer. The analysis compared the studied case with an existing outsourcing process identified in literature. The paper identifies five main differences between outsourcing and related offset, which are translated into activities to be included in a suggested related offset framework. This paper is based on a single case study, and the suggested differences should be verified through further case studies. This paper reveals differences between related offset and outsourcing and highlights the need to develop a framework for related offset from negotiation to fulfilment. This paper contributes to offset research by providing an overview of the activities taking place during a related offset process.

Keywords: offset framework; related offset; case study; aircraft industry; outsourcing; Saab; Sweden; military aircraft.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTTC.2016.081637

International Journal of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, 2016 Vol.14 No.2, pp.132 - 149

Received: 06 Oct 2016
Accepted: 10 Oct 2016
Published online: 18 Jan 2017 *

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