A new departure

Transaction cost theory (TCT) has been widely used in information technology outsourcing (ITO) research to explain and predict outsourcing decisions and outsourcing-related outcomes. This research, however, has led to mixed and unexpected results in terms of the effects of transaction attributes on outsourcing decisions and outcomes. This study assesses the empirical literature employing TCT-based ITO models in terms of its faithfulness to the precepts of TCT, and argues that one possible explanation for the mixed results is that the extant models do not capture all the essential elements of TCT. First, there are core TCT constructs that the extant models do not take into account; second, the linkages among constructs that the IT outsourcing models have hypothesized are not always in line with TCT precepts; and third, the normative nature 0963-8687/$ see front matter 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V. doi:10.1016/j.jsis.2011.05.001 1 Other special issues, previously published in JSIS, have been (most recent, first): Volume 17, Number 2 (2008) eGovernment Strategies: ICT Innovation in International Public Sector Contexts edited by R. Hackney, K.C. Desouza, P. Chau. Volume 16, Number 2 (2007) Security and Privacy edited by G. Dhillon, J. Backhouse, A. Ray. Volume 14, Number 3 (2005) The Future is UNWIRED: Organizational and Strategic Perspectives edited by A. Takeishi, B. Thorngren, S. Jarvenpaa. Volume 14, Number 2 (2005) Understanding the Contextual Influences on Enterprise Systems (Part II) edited by Howcroft, Newell, Wagner. Volume 13, Number 4 (2004) Understanding the Contextual Influences on Enterprise System Design, Implementation, Use and Evaluation edited by D. Howcroft, S. Newell, E. Wagner. Volume: 13 Issue: 2 (2004) Strategic Information Systems in the Post-Net Era edited by J.N.D. Gupta, M. Quaddus, R.D. Galliers. Volume 12 Issue 4 (2003) LEO Conference 2001 edited by J. Aris, F. Land, V. Maller. Volume 9, Issue 2–3 (2004) Knowledge Management and Knowledge Management Systems edited by Dorothy Leidner. 124 Editorial / Journal of Strategic Information Systems 20 (2011) 123–124 of the theory is not always captured by the extant models. This paper, therefore, aims to provide one possible answer to the question: ‘‘Why have the appropriations made of TCT to study IT outsourcing produced mixed results?’’ Once again, we hope that you enjoy these articles, and we look forward to your continued support in 2011. As always, we welcome your reaction and comment.