The aim of this book is to investigate the discursive power of two original, theoretical lenses when applied to real outsourcing arrangements and phenomena. The Transaction Cost Economics (TCE) and Foucauldian perspectives are brought to bear on five outsourcing relationships in order to test the application of these discourses to rich qualitative data over the outsourcing contractual life-cycle. This will be the first study illustrating the relevance of Foucauldian concepts of governmentality, discourse and power relations to the study of outsourcing arrangements, and will also incorporate the perspectives of both client and supplier organizations. Using discourse analysis, the objective is to critically deconstruct and provide fresh insight into the normative ‘outsourcing’ discourse that has grown up around global sourcing practices over the last 30 years.

This book offers a broad perspective on issues relating to the sourcing of systems and business processes in a national and global context, examining the client's and the vendor's involvement in sourcing relationships by putting the emphasis on the capabilities that each side should develop as a result of their interactions with each other.

Global sourcing is a complex area, and one that managers must get to grips with as business investment in outsourcing continues to climb. This book provides invaluable guidance for the reader, walking them through the fundamentals of global sourcing to very recent trends, including intelligent automation, cloud services and crowdsourcing. Replete with key examples and cases, it allows students and managers alike to relate academic theory to practice, acting as a roadmap to a rapidly evolving field. For the last decade, the authors have studied the full spectrum of activities involved in global sourcing from both client, supplier and advisory viewpoints. Their research has shown that while more firms engage in global sourcing activities, many of them are still struggling to extract value from sourcing relationships. While past research has produced numerous practical frameworks regarding the management of global sourcing of services, little of this insight has been put into practice. This book addresses such shortcomings by exploring the impact of theory on practice. It is important reading for any academic, student or practitioner concerned with global sourcing either from the client or supplier perspective.

Production networks in many sectors have become increasingly fragmented. Cutting labour costs by lowering pay, increasing work intensity and/or shifting flexibility costs to workers are just some of the motivations for outsourcing. But it can also be used to circumvent employee representation and collective bargaining systems within companies, and labour market regulations in general. Though such intentions may not drive the bulk of outsourcing decisions, any change in company boundaries is likely to impact employment, working conditions and industrial relations in the value chain. This book focuses on the dynamics of outsourcing in Europe from the perspective of employees. In particular, it considers one insufficiently studied aspect: the impact of outsourcing on working conditions and employment relations in companies. The book also collects lessons learned from the efforts of employees and trade unions to shape outsourcing decisions, processes and their impact on employment and working conditions.

This edited book is intended for use by students, academics and practitioners who take interest in outsourcing and offshoring of information technology and business pr- esses. The book offers a review of the key topics in outsourcing and offshoring, po- lated with practical frameworks that serve as a tool kit to students and managers. The range of topics covered here is wide and diverse. The sourcing models available to client firms are discussed in great depth and the decision-making processes and c- siderations regarding the sourcing model and sourcing settings are examined. Vendor capabilities as well as client capabilities are studied in depth and links are offered to the various sourcing models. Issues pertaining to knowledge and expertise are also discussed throughout the book. Last but not least, the book examines current and - ture trends in outsourcing and offshoring, paying particular attention to the role that CIOs will play in shaping their sourcing strategies. The book is based on a vast empirical base brought together through years of - tensive research by the leading researchers of outsourcing and offshoring. June 2010 Ilan Oshri Julia Kotlarsky Organization Global Sourcing Workshop is an annual gathering of academics and practitioners. Program Committee Workshop Chair Leslie Willcocks (London School of Economics, London, UK) Workshop Committee Julia Kotlarsky (Warwick Business School, Coventry, UK) Ilan Oshri (Rotterdam School of Management, Rotterdam, The Netherlands) Joseph Rottman (St. Louis University, St.