Information Management & Computer Security Conceptualizing strategic issues in information technology outsourcing

Purpose – It is posited that information technology (IT) outsourcing unfolds a complex relationship that has the propensity to start with a bang and end in a whimper unless the strategic parameters are identified at the outset. The paper is intended to beacon flash areas open to scholarly research in this relatively nascent area.Design/methodology/approach – The key to long‐term success is the mutually beneficial partnership of the client and the provider. This paper identifies such relationships based on a framework that can lead to strategic success of the outsourcing engagements. The paper develops a set of propositions to build a deeper understanding of the processes that underlie IT outsourcing as a strategic and sustainable enterprise‐wide initiative to further an organization's performance in the competitive market place.Findings – Outsourcing of IT is emerging as a potent business strategy. The statistics compiled by the IT industry watch‐dogs point only to one direction – outsourcing will grow un...

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