The Role of Social Network Structures in Outsourced Projects

IT management increasingly involves teams dispersed throughout a globalized world in internal as well as outsourced projects. In this work, we focus on the latter and analyze the impact of social net¬work structures between vendor and client team members on project success. We present the findings of a comprehensive literature analysis and give an outlook on the ongoing empirical investigation. The goal is to propose a model linking structural proper¬ties of social networks to dimensions of success of outsourced IT projects. We base this model on indications found in prior research and the results of explorative case studies in outsourcing arrangements. Our findings so far show that the network density at the client-vendor interface and the multiplexity of ties are the salient, but not sole, network properties for which existing research implies an influence on success of outsourced IT projects. Case studies will reveal how and why these and other social network properties have an impact on project success

IT-Driven Divestments: Towards Theoretical Multiplicity Through A Configurational Approach

The ongoing digitization, IT advancements, and innovative business models disrupt many industries. They pressure established organizations to adjust their organizational structures and procedures within their own business. So far, IT-driven divestments have received less attention in IS research. Following the configurational approach to two theoretical perspectives – (1) the resource-based view and (2) the concept of ambidexterity – we derive two causal configurations to ground IT-driven divestments theoretically. Thereby, we contribute to theory by illustrating the suitability of a configurational approach to investigate the theoretical multiplicity of IT-driven divestments. We discuss our insights against the theory of path dependence. We conclude by outlining our contribution to theory and practice and suggesting steps for future research

IT/IS Outsourcing in Large Companies - Motivations and Risks

Companies can outsource Information Technologies (IT) /Information Systems (IS) at various scales, from a small percentage of services to the entire range of services that they need. Outsourcing is associated to a set of motivations related to perceived benefits, but it also has inherent risks. This paper discusses the main results of a survey carried out to determine several aspects of outsourcing practice in large companies. It presents the most frequently contracted services (application development and application maintenance), the most prevailing motivations (financial motives and access to world-class capabilities) and the main risks (loss of control, loss of intellectual capital, and unexpected costs), as perceived by companies.COMPETE: POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007043 and FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the Project Scope: UID/CEC/00319/2013info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Information Technology Outsourcing Configurations And Organizational Outcomes

Research has reported mixed relationships between different Information Technology Outsourcing (ITO) (e.g. ‘total’ and ‘selective’) approaches and organizational performance. Most ITO research takes a reductionist approach, which only examines unidirectional linear relationships between specific ITO attributes and organizational performance. Configurational theory as an alternative approach has been suggested. This study employs a theory-driven and empirically-grounded list of attributes to construct ITO configurations. Then it uses a set-theoretic method to empirically examine the ITO configuration-organizational outcome relationship. Data were collected through a survey administered to the members of the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP). Our findings suggest five different ITO configurations that lead to cost reduction, capability enhancement, and innovation. The theoretical foundation for ITO research and configurational approach is reviewed next. We then suggest five key attributes of ITO configurations and three common organizational outcomes. Thereafter, we present our findings and put forth several implications for ITO studies

Towards Multi-Sourcing Maturity: A Service Integration Capability Model

When outsourcing IT services, many enterprises today resort to multi-sourcing. It allows them to reduce costs and assemble a best-of-breed service portfolio. However, this usually also increases complexity. Despite the economic importance of multi-sourcing, though, there is no systematic understanding of the capabilities required to successfully integrate interdependent services and to manage multi-sourcing. This paper develops a capability model for service integration in a grounded coding approach based on literature and expert interviews. The model identifies six key capabilities and 18 sub-capabilities. We evaluate its applicability and validity via an empirical survey and two in-depth case studies. In addition, provide various insights into the implementation of service integration functions. Our contribution should provide orientation for companies how to direct their transformation efforts. It outlines an agenda for future research and builds a solid foundation for maturity models to improve multi-sourcing readiness – ultimately leading to more effective multi-sourcing solutions

The Concept of Governance in IT Outsourcing: A Literature Review

The significance of governance has been recognized in IT Outsourcing (ITO) research and practice. While the concept of governance is rooted from various reference disciplines, as a leading knowledge resource for outsourcing, the discipline of IS has contributed to the conceptualization of ITO governance with multiplex interpretations and from different aspects. To synthesize these contributions of IS scholars, we conducted a literature review within IS discipline, and identified two research strands: governance structure and governance mechanisms. With our findings, we describe how "structuring" the governance means defining the combination of an appropriate portfolio of governance structures, together with different coordination mechanisms at different stages of the ITO lifecycle. Furthermore, we discuss how the ITO research community can be informed by reference disciplines on the conceptualization of governance. On this basis, we suggest the existing gaps and future directions of research on ITO governance

Deviations of Governance In IT Multi-Sourcing: A Case Study

IT outsourcing (ITO) refers to the shift of IT/IS activities from internal to external of an organization. In prior research, the governance of ITO is recognized with persistent strategic importance for practice, because it is tightly related to ITO success. Under the rapid transformation of global market, the evolving practice of ITO requires updated knowledge on effective governance. However, research on ITO governance is still under developed due to the lack of integrated theoretical frameworks and the variety of empirical settings besides dyadic client-vendor relationships. Especially, as multi-sourcing has become an increasingly common practice in ITO, its new governance challenges must be attended by both ITO researchers and practitioners. To address this research gap, this study aims to understand multi-sourcing governance with an integrated theoretical framework incorporating both governance structure and governance mechanisms. The focus is on the emerging deviations among formal, perceived and practiced governance. With an interpretive perspective, a single case study is conducted with mixed methods of Social Network Analysis (SNA) and qualitative inquiries. The empirical setting embraces one client firm and its two IT suppliers for IT infrastructure services. The empirical material is analyzed at three levels: within one supplier firm, between the client and one supplier, and among all three firms. Empirical evidences, at all levels, illustrate various deviations in governance mechanisms, with which emerging governance structures are shaped. This dissertation contributes to the understanding of ITO governance in three domains: the governance of ITO in general, the governance of multi-sourcing in particular, and research methodology. For ITO governance in general, this study has identified two research strands of governance structure and governance mechanisms, and integrated both concepts under a unified framework. The composition of four research papers contributes to multi-sourcing research by illustrating the benefits of zooming in and out across the multilateral relationships with different aspects and scopes. Methodologically, the viability and benefit of mixed-method is illustrated and confirmed for both researchers and practitioners.IT-palveluiden ulkoistamisen tarkoituksena on hankkia organisaation tarvitsemat IT-palvelut toiselta organisaatiolta. Hankittavien palveluiden laatu on aiemman tutkimuksen mukaan riippunut siitä, miten palveluiden ulkoistusta on hallittu. Aihepiiristä ei kuitenkaan ole olemassa integroitua tieteellistä viitekehystä. Lisäksi aiempi IT-palveluiden hallintaa käsittelevä empiirinen tutkimus on perehtynyt vain kahdenvälisiin asiakas–tuottaja suhteisiin. Tämän johdosta on tärkeää tutkia lisää IT-palveluiden ulkoistamisen hallintaa yleensä ja erityisesti niissä tilanteissa, joissa IT-palvelut on ulkoistettu useille toimijoille eli kyse on IT-palveluiden moniulkoistamisesta. Tässä tutkimuksessa kehitettiin IT-palveluiden moniulkoistamisen hallintaan soveltuva integroitu, tieteellinen viitekehys, joka sisältää sekä hallinnan rakenteet että hallinnan mekanismit. Työn empiirisessä osassa erityisenä kiinnostuksen kohteena oli se, mitä palvelun hallinnasta oli virallisesti sovittu, kuinka eri osapuolet olettivat hallinnan tapahtuvan, ja miten hallinta käytännössä toteutui. Aihetta tutkittiin tulkitsevan tapaustutkimuksen keinoin yhdistäen puolistrukturoitua haastattelututkimusta ja sosiaalisten verkostojen analyysiä. Tutkimusaineisto kerättiin yhdestä asiakasyrityksestä ja sen kahdesta IT-palveluiden toimittajasta. Aineiston analysointi tehtiin kolmella tasolla: yksittäisen toimittajayrityksen, asiakkaan ja toimittajan välisen suhteen sekä kaikkien toimijoiden välisten suhteiden tasolla. Tutkimuksessa osoitetaan, että aiempi IT-palveluiden ulkoistamisen hallintaa käsittelevä tutkimus on jakautunut kahteen tutkimusalueeseen, joista toinen keskittyy hallinnan mekanismeihin ja toinen hallinnan rakenteisiin. Tutkimuksessa kehitetty IT-palveluiden ulkoistamisen hallinnan uusi viitekehys hyödyntää sekä hallinnan mekanismeihin että hallinnan rakenteisiin liittyviä käsitteitä. Tutkielma osoittaa, että moniulkoistamiseen liittyviä toimijoita kannattaa analysoida sekä itsenäisinä toimijoina että verkoston jäseninä. Tutkimus nostaa myös esille hyötyjä laadullisten ja määrällisten tutkimusmenetelmien yhdistämisestä sekä tieteellisen tutkimuksen tekemisessä että yritysten käytännön kehitystyössä.Siirretty Doriast