Information systems offshore outsourcing: a descriptive analysis

Purpose - The present paper has as its aim to deepen in the study of Information Systems Offshore Outsourcing, proposing three essential steps to make this decision: weighing up the advantages and risks of Offshore Outsourcing; analysing the taxonomy of this phenomenon; and determining its current geography. Design/Methodology/Approach - With that objective in mind, it was decided to base the research work on the literature about this topic and the review of reports and statistics coming from different sources (consultants, the press, public institutions, etc.). Findings - Offshore Outsourcing has grown vertiginously in recent years. Its advantages exceed even those of onshore outsourcing, though it also involves greater risks derived from the (cultural and physical) distance existing between customer and provider. Various types of services and customer-provider relationships hide under the umbrella of Offshore Outsourcing; i.e. it is not a homogeneous phenomenon. The main Offshore Outsourcing customers can be found in the USA and Europe, mainly in the UK but also in other countries such as Germany and France. As for provider firms, most of them are located in Asia −outstandingly in India but also in China and Russia. At present, there are important providers scattered in other continents as well. Originality/Value - The conclusions suggest that the range of potential Offshore Outsourcing destinations must be widened and that the search for a provider cannot be based exclusively on cost savings; other considerations such as quality, security and proximity of the provider must also be taken into consideration. That is precisely the reason why the study of new countries like Spain as Offshore Outsourcing destinations is proposed

La interpretación de Kant de Fernando Montero Moliner.

Sin resume

Identidad contra identidades: el destino contra Babelia

El impulso de los nacionalismos y la constatación de la crisis ecológica global, son fenómenos paradójicos y contradictorios. En base a las contribuciones desde la sociología de Eisenstadt y Geisen, y desde el derecho y la teoría política de Wendt y Falk, nosotros argumentamos que el concepto de identidad planetaria, al tiempo que se opone conceptualmente al babelismo nacionalista dominante en ciertos sectores intelectuales, puede cimentar las bases para un entendimiento racional del devenir en este fin de siglo

Identidad contra identidades : el destino contra Babelia

El impulso de los nacionalismos y la constatación de la crisis ecológica global, son fenómenos paradójicos y contradictorios. En base a las contribuciones desde la sociología de Eisenstadt y Geisen, y desde el derecho y la teoría política de Wendt y Falk, nosotros argumentamos que el concepto de identidad planetaria, al tiempo que se opone conceptualmente al babelismo nacionalista dominante en ciertos sectores intelectuales, puede cimentar las bases para un entendimiento racional del devenir en este fin de siglo.Nationalism and environmental global conscience are contradictory ideas. We argue in this paper, using as a source from the sociological point of view the work of Eisenstadt and Giesen and from the point of view of legal theory the work of Wendt and Falk, that the concept of planetarian identity is rationally sound. We defend that planetarian collective identity may work against the shortcomings of this return to Babelia represented by nationalism, and it may also set a valid framework of reference to understand developments at the end of the twentieth century

ICT in higher education: an experience with e-books

The present paper seeks to explain the diverse advantages of virtual books and also the main barriers that make it difficult their implementation in the classroom. A brief review of the literature on ICT, e-learning, distance education and e-books will be complemented with a case study about the preparation, development and implementation of an e-book. The paper could be helpful both for systems analysts and for teachers when they are developing and implementing e-books

Facebook and Academic Performance: A Positive Outcome

The objective sought with the present paper consists in analyzing the literature about Facebook in order to know the conclusions of the different works with regard to its influence on those results. The examination of 37 papers devoted to this thematic area allows us to know which journals publish more about the impacts that Facebook has on academic performance, which data collection methods are more often used, which topics emerge in parallel to the use of Facebook in the academic context, and which countries are more prolific in this field. The conclusions suggest that, despite the divergence of results, the overall outcome is positive when it comes to the use of Facebook in academic environments

La dirección de recursos humanos a través de la cultura ética empresarial

Siendo la ética un valor fundamental de la cultura empresarial, podemos aprovechar el mecanismo de implantación y cambio cultural para dirigirla. A pesar de ser un camino dificultoso en costes monetarios y tiempo, es uno de los más seguros para alcanzar unos valores éticos que sean conocidos, compartidos y después practicados por todos los iembros jerárquicos de la organización. En este sentido, proponemos una metodología concreta de actuación para mejorar los valores éticos de la empresa a través de la cultura organizacional

Social networks in cultural industries

Although cultural industries can benefit from social networks in many ways, few Spanish studies examine the extent to which firms within this economic sector actually use such networks. This study's objective is to investigate the role of online social networks in Spanish cultural firms. The study begins with a literature review on cultural industries and social networks. Then the study proceeds to a Delphi analysis that draws upon experts' opinions. Results reveal a predominance of utilitarian uses over expressive ones, as well as an overriding use of proactive motivations rather than reactive ones within the context of cultural firms' use of social networks. The study confirms the profitability of these networks and the transfer of influence or power from providers to the consumers of cultural goods and services

Information Systems Outsourcing reasons and risks at the largest Spanish firms

El outsourcing de sistemas de información es una práctica habitual en las empresas en imparable crecimiento. Por ello resulta imprescindible conocer en profundidad cuáles son las razones que llevan a las empresas a externalizar y cuáles son los principales riesgos inherentes a esta práctica. El presente trabajo hace una propuesta de estas razones y riesgos y las valora en el caso de las mayores empresas españolas a través de una encuesta que se ha replicado por segunda vez. El análisis longitudinal permite trazar tendencias y evaluar la continuidad y el cambio en las razones y riesgos del outsourcing. Aunque las razones siguen una tendencia bastante estable, en los últimos años los riesgos se han modificado en cuanto a su valoración. En cualquier caso, la propuesta de razones y riesgos debería ser tenida en cuenta por los directivos, previa a cualquier decisión de outsourcing.Information Systems Outsourcing is a common practice in companies with unstoppable growth. It is therefore essential to know in depth what are the reasons that lead companies to outsource and what the major risks are inherent in this practice. This paper makes a proposal for these reasons and risks and it assesses them in the case of the major Spanish companies through a survey that was replicated twice. The longitudinal analysis allows to draw trends and to assess continuity and change in the reasons and risks of outsourcing. Although the reasons are fairly stable the risks have changed, in terms of their valuation trend in recent years. In any case the proposed reasons and risks should be taken into account by management, prior to any outsourcing decision