Service offshoring: the evolution of offshore operations
International Journal of Operations & Production Management
ISSN: 0144-3577
Article publication date: 20 July 2010
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of economic development on culture and the significance of cultural change on the evolution of offshoring of services and knowledge‐based activities.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper offers a conceptual model that links economic development, national cultural predispositions, and the future of offshoring service and knowledge functions. It builds on a range of academic literatures within these core areas to derive a set of propositions that offer insights into the manner in which the relative success and evolution of offshoring service and knowledge work would be impacted by a country's economic development posture and its cultural roots and value systems. The model presented here is also well complemented by examples from real offshoring projects to offer the reader a comprehensive picture of the central propositions put forth.
Findings
Several propositions, formulated at the multidisciplinary intersection of service operations management, strategy, and international studies, provide ample opportunities for further discipline‐specific and cross‐disciplinary examination of complex interactions of economic development, culture, and offshoring approaches.
Research limitations/implications
This form of conceptual research provides the basis for more rigorous theory development and testing. The aim of the conceptual analysis was to begin linking nascent research in the area of service and knowledge offshoring to an area of research that examines the links between economic development and culture.
Practical implications
Global operations managers dealing with extended service value chains that include offshore service providers must not only focus on dealing with cultural differences but they must also identify requisite cultural attributes for evolving service center roles.
Originality/value
By integrating perspectives from service operations management, strategy, and international studies, the paper provides new perspectives on offshoring of service and knowledge operations.
Keywords
Citation
Youngdahl, W.E., Ramaswamy, K. and Dash, K.C. (2010), "Service offshoring: the evolution of offshore operations", International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 30 No. 8, pp. 798-820. https://doi.org/10.1108/01443571011068171
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited