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1 – 10 of over 19000Francois Duhamel, Isis Gutiérrez-Martínez, Sergio Picazo-Vela and Luis Luna-Reyes
The purpose of this article is to propose a theoretical model explaining information technology outsourcing performance in the public sector as well as a set of empirically…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to propose a theoretical model explaining information technology outsourcing performance in the public sector as well as a set of empirically testable propositions to improve the understanding of key determinants of success.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on Fountain ' s technology enactment framework, the authors integrated inter-organizational factors, such as trust, knowledge sharing, and quality of outsourcing interfaces, in the model and added organizational culture alignment between service providers and public administration to enhance Fountain ' s original framework.
Findings
The authors proposed 17 empirically testable propositions to establish the relationships between key variables in IT outsourcing projects in the public sector.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed model provides guidance for future research aimed at advancing knowledge of IT outsourcing.
Originality/value
The contribution lies in the development of specific variables, such as trust, knowledge, and organizational culture, which are related to building an outsourcing relationship and are used as determinants of the quality of organizational interfaces between public bureaucracies and IT outsourcing providers.
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Thomas J. Norman, Natasa Christodoulidou and Marcus Rothenberger
Human resource technologies in the hospitality industry are a means by which an organization can gain competitive advantage technologically. The technology-oriented human capital…
Abstract
Purpose
Human resource technologies in the hospitality industry are a means by which an organization can gain competitive advantage technologically. The technology-oriented human capital embedded in an organization's human resources is a source of sustainable competitive advantage in an industry that is heavily dependent on people and makes it unique and inimitable. This study uses data collected on 34 different practices to provide a snapshot of current practices in the hospitality sector, which can be used to benchmark individual technology operations against the current norms. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses survey data collected from dozens of managers working in the hospitality sector on the level of outsourcing of 34 different HRM practices to provide a snapshot of current practices in the hospitality sector.
Findings
Starting with the theoretical predictions of total cost of ownership and transaction cost analysis, multiple regression models are used to test whether or not human resource outsourcing (HRO) technology-related activities in hospitality are associated with negative outcomes, such as higher voluntary turnover of good employees.
Research limitations/implications
This is one of the first articles to explore HRO technology in the hospitality sector and the findings suggest that what an organization outsources matters.
Practical implications
These results can be used by hospitality managers to benchmark their operations against the current HRO technology norms.
Originality/value
It is expected that the type of HR technology-related activities outsourced in hospitality will affect how employees and employers view and react to HRO in hospitality.
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In their search for optimum performance and cost‐efficiency manyorganizations have been critically examining the value of the seeminglyever increasing cost of, and dependence on…
Abstract
In their search for optimum performance and cost‐efficiency many organizations have been critically examining the value of the seemingly ever increasing cost of, and dependence on, technology. In the course of examining possible alternative, and potentially more efficient, approaches to technology management, the concept of outsourcing has become widely discussed. In this context it has attracted high levels of interest among both industry and Government. In spite of this high level of interest and increasing willingness to consider outsourcing, a great deal of uncertainty exists among potential users regarding both the meaning and implications of entering into outsourcing arrangements. Intends critically to examine the concept, implementation and management issues related to outsourcing information technology services.
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Mohamed Alsudairi and Yogesh K. Dwivedi
In recent years a large number of studies have appeared on information systems (IS)/information technology (IT) outsourcing related issues but scattered in a number of distantly…
Abstract
Purpose
In recent years a large number of studies have appeared on information systems (IS)/information technology (IT) outsourcing related issues but scattered in a number of distantly related publishing outlets which may hamper the use of such published resources and repetition of research conducted by various researchers. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a systematic survey of the literature pertaining to research on IS/IT outsourcing.
Design/methodology/approach
The research aim was accomplished by extracting information on a number of relevant variables by conducting a review of 315 articles on IS/IT outsourcing published between 1992 and 2008.
Findings
The analysis is presented by listing and illustrating subject category, journals, year of publications and country, frequently published authors, productive institutions, the trend of collaborative nature (co‐author analysis) of research, the impact/influence of published research; topics/research issues and utilised methods, and the challenges and limitations of existing research.
Practical implications
Results of this research may have implications for both private and public sector organizations interested in outsourcing IS/IT services and applications, and various stakeholders of academic publishing (namely, researchers, journal editors, reviewers and universities) research on IS/IT outsourcing.
Originality/value
The primary value of this paper lies in extending the understanding of evolution and patterns of outsourcing research.
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Shereazad Jimmy Gandhi, Alex Gorod and Brian Sauser
The purpose of this research is so that project managers can use a systemic approach to prioritizing the risks of outsourcing including an understanding of the external factors…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is so that project managers can use a systemic approach to prioritizing the risks of outsourcing including an understanding of the external factors that could affect the prioritization.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was designed by the authors and distributed to 2,500 outsourcing professionals from different organizations and the hypotheses were tested using the data from these surveys. The logic for forming the hypothesis is discussed for each hypothesis and so are the demographics of the respondents
Findings
External factors such as the type of technology involved, type of market targeted, location of outsourcing and the amount of experience the outsourcing professional had, did affect the prioritization of the outsourcing risks. Furthermore, trends were identified among the ranking of the outsourcing risks.
Research limitations/implications
One of the constraining factors of this research, as in the majority of empirical research initiatives, was the limited sample size, which could potentially affect the rating. An increased sample size could have also provided the researchers with a more detailed insight into the interrelationships between the various outsourcing risks.
Originality/value
For the first time, the outsourcing risks have been prioritized using a systemic approach. The systemic approach has been used in the financial industry while analyzing risk but the authors have applied it to prioritization of outsourcing risks. This includes understanding the interrelationships between the risks and also the effect that external factors can have on the prioritization of those risks.
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Francois Bernard Duhamel, Isis Gutiérrez-Martínez, Sergio Picazo-Vela and Luis Luna-Reyes
Collaborations between public administrations and private sector represent a specific challenge to manage contractual and organizational relationships among partners with…
Abstract
Purpose
Collaborations between public administrations and private sector represent a specific challenge to manage contractual and organizational relationships among partners with different goals, working cultures, norms, rules and processes. Therefore, the main research question of this paper is: What are the antecedents of effective collaboration in public-private IT outsourcing relations? Thus, the purpose of this paper is to identify the determinants of collaborative interface characteristics as scaffolding structures to manage public-private IT outsourcing relations effectively.
Design/methodology/approach
Two cases of public-private IT outsourcing relationships in Mexico were used to compare and contrast the main antecedents of collaborative interface characteristics. Case selection was based on the success in each case, as perceived by the collaborating members involved. A successful case and a less successful case of application development for the provision of public services from two state administrations in Mexico were chosen. Data gathering took place via face-to-face interviews.
Findings
The quality of the organizational interface depends on the interactions between exchange of knowledge and mutual trust, along with the commitment between partners. Trust, commitment and knowledge sharing interacted to enhance interface characteristics that have an impact on public and political values.
Research limitations/implications
This paper used and extended an outsourcing technology enactment model to emphasize the quality of organizational interfaces as a main antecedent for the success of public-private IT outsourcing relations.
Practical implications
Effectively designing work practices and contracts implies the development of flexible contracts, objects and routines to adjust project requirements to fulfill better public-private goals. Such flexible contracts and practices are only possible in a trusting environment where participants shape their mutual understanding of the project.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the literature on public-private IT outsourcing relationships by offering a theoretical framework on key antecedents and processes of success of these relationships.
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Payam Hanafizadeh and Ahad Zare Ravasan
A multitude of factors influence the information technology outsourcing (ITO) decision. Organizations must systematically evaluate these factors prior to making the ITO decision…
Abstract
Purpose
A multitude of factors influence the information technology outsourcing (ITO) decision. Organizations must systematically evaluate these factors prior to making the ITO decision. The purpose of this paper is to provide an in-depth analysis toward understanding the critical factors in affecting ITO decision in the context of e-banking services.
Design/methodology/approach
The effect of technological, organizational, and environmental attributes on e-banking services outsourcing decision were investigated in this paper. The study was carried out using the quantitative research methodology based on a survey of 23 banks. The partial least squares technique was utilized as the method of data analysis.
Findings
The results of the data analysis illustrated that nine out of 11 assumed factors (i.e. perceived complexity, perceived cost, service observability to the client, cultural fit between client and supplier, perceived loss of organizational knowledge, prior outsourcing experience, external pressure, market volatility, and suppliers’ power) influence the outsourcing decision of e-banking services. The findings also confirmed that the nature of the service and client IT capabilities did not exert any influence on the outsourcing decision.
Originality/value
The study is among the first kind of ITO decision research which empirically investigates the effect of service observability, cultural fit, perceived loss of organizational knowledge, external pressure, market volatility, and suppliers’ power amongst other factors on the ITO decision. The findings from this study provide insights for the banks and service providers to better understand the factors affecting the outsourcing decisions of e-banking services in contexts of less developed countries. Implications based on a specific situation of the Iranian banking sector is also proposed.
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Tesfaye Hailu and Abdella Kosa Chebo
To examine the development of research into the relationship between business process outsourcing (BPO) and innovation, a bibliometric methodology utilizing quantitative…
Abstract
Purpose
To examine the development of research into the relationship between business process outsourcing (BPO) and innovation, a bibliometric methodology utilizing quantitative analytical methodologies was used. With the aid of a visualization analysis of scientific publications, this study also assessed the state of BPO and innovation practices.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the Web of Science database, articles on BPO and innovation that published between 1992 and 2022 were retrieved. Records that had been extracted were examined in terms of publication year, nation, journal, subject area, authors and affiliations with organizations. The research on acupuncture for pain relief was visualized using the VOSviewer application.
Findings
An analysis of 219 original and review papers found that during the past 30 years, the overall number of publications has fluctuated constantly. The London University, the Copenhagen Business School and the London School of Economics were the institutions that produced the most articles in this topic. The three main categories of research that emerged from a network analysis based on the co-occurrence of keywords are innovation, outsourcing and performance.
Practical implications
A BP-innovation model must be created, and BPO must go beyond operational duties to incorporate management-wide shared strategic decisions in order to ensure improved performance of the firms. BPO enables a company's management to share knowledge and expertise about the strategic difficulties of outsourcing. A variety of technological and non-technological resources must also be considered when integrating an information technology (IT) infrastructure into BPO decisions in order to achieve greater performance.
Originality/value
Validity of the paper can be justified by it contribution to the existing knowledge. First, linking BPO and innovation – by integrating the arguments of various academics, the study unifies the disparate components and contentious discussions in the relationship between BPO and innovation. Second, this study highlights a research trend, significant studies, relevant terms and concepts in the real world. Third, the study provides future researchers with a tip for statistically analyzing BPO, particularly in light of innovation.
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Naomi Wangari Mwai, Joseph Kiplang’at and David Gichoya
The aim of this paper is to establish how resource dependency theory (RDT) and transaction cost theory (TCT) can inform decisions to outsource ICT services by public university…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to establish how resource dependency theory (RDT) and transaction cost theory (TCT) can inform decisions to outsource ICT services by public university libraries in Kenya.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted a multiple case study strategy in four selected public universities libraries in Kenya. Purposive sampling was used to identify respondents and data collection was done using a semi-structured interview schedule.
Findings
The study highlights how RDT and TCT theoretical perspectives illuminate some of the reasons, and problems associated with Information and Communications Technology outsourcing in Libraries. The paper concludes with recommendations and the way forward.
Research limitations/implications
The study was limited to the outsourcing of information technology services in four public university libraries in Kenya, namely, Kenyatta University (KU) in Kahawa, Nairobi; Moi University (MU) in Eldoret; University of Nairobi (UON) in Nairobi; and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in Juja, Thika. This being a qualitative study (and taking into consideration the subjective views where bias could occur), the researchers ensured that the research was reliable by recording and taking notes during the interviews and by using peer-debriefing and professionals in the field to ascertain their views.
Practical implications
The paper provides practical insights into outsourcing of Information Technology (IT) services in Public University libraries and information centres in Kenya. This study is useful for university libraries, information professionals, information communication technology professionals and university management.
Social implications
The implications of the study are that outsourcing needs to be guided by clear policies that are documented and communicated to all the stakeholders.
Originality/value
This research assesses IT outsourcing services in selected public academic libraries in Kenya.
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Reyes Gonzalez, Jose Gasco and Juan Llopis
Outsourcing is currently going through a stage of unstoppable growth. The purpose of this paper is to make a proposal about the main reasons, which may lead firms to adopt…
Abstract
Purpose
Outsourcing is currently going through a stage of unstoppable growth. The purpose of this paper is to make a proposal about the main reasons, which may lead firms to adopt outsourcing in information systems (IS) services. It will equally analyse the potential risks that IS clients are likely to face. An additional objective is to assess these reasons and risks in the case of large Spanish firms, while simultaneously examining their evolution over time. This study of outsourcing reasons and risks has been carried out from the client's perspective.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to achieve these aims, a questionnaire was administered to the IS managers of the largest Spanish firms.
Findings
Outsourcing gives the organisations the opportunity to have better IS services and the possibility to achieve technological improvements and, although cost savings in staff and technology are generally seen as very important, they do not emerge as priority reasons for outsourcing in the present study. Regarding risks, they are mainly associated with providers, with great concern being expressed about the lack of qualification among their providers' staff, the potential lack of compliance with contracts, and the inability to adapt to the new technologies.
Originality/value
An important contribution made by this paper is not only the specification of those reasons and risks but also the fact that they are considered important by the firms interviewed.
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