Outsourcing is a key issue for many organisations having moved from the contracting out of peripheral activities such as cleaning to more critical areas such as design and marketing. This report is for managers and people in finance and accounting functions and takes a practical approach in developing a framework and then applying this framework in an actual organisation which makes it easier for practitioners to understand.• This report provides a framework which incorporates both qualitative and quantitative performance measures that can be used in the outsourcing process• This research is of value to commercial and public sector organisations as well as academics as it provides insights for organisations considering outsourcing that will enable them to assess service levels throughout the contract

In this study outsourcing is defined as the organizational practice of contracting for services from an external entity while retaining control over assets and oversight of the services being outsourced. In the 1980s, a number of factors led to a renewed interest in outsourcing. For private sector organizations, outsourcing was identified as a strategic component of business process reengineering-an effort to streamline an organization and increase its profitability. In the public sector, growing concern about the federal budget deficit, the continuing long-term fiscal crisis of some large cities, and other factors accelerated the use of privatization measures (including outsourcing for services) as a means of increasing the efficiency of government.

Outsourcing has become an increasingly important issue for many organisations. This book provides a framework for an up-to-date understanding of the outsourcing process and the key issues associated with it. It integrates a number of contemporary topics including benchmarking, buyer-supplier relationships, organisational behaviour, competitor analysis, and technology influences. The analysis draws upon both empirical research and real case studies. The author starts by providing guidelines as to when outsourcing is appropriate and what its implications will be, before moving on to explain how outsourcing is implemented. The benefits of both successful outsourcing and the risks and consequences of outsourcing failure are outlined. The book is ideal for use by postgraduate students studying the area of outsourcing. It would also benefit industry managers who are considering outsourcing or who already have outsourcing programmes in place.

The first book to provide practical guidance on how to get the most from an outsourced IS service and written specifically for IS and IT professionals and not senior business managers.

Advanced Manufacturing and Automation V contains the proceedings of the 5th International Workshop of Advanced Manufacturing and Automation (IWAMA 2015). This meeting continues the success of this important international workshop series and disseminates the works of academic and industrial experts, from around the world, in the areas of advanced manufacturing and automation. The disciplines of manufacturing and automation have attained paramount importance and are vital factors for the maintenance and improvement of the economy of a nation and the quality of life. Manufacturing and automation are advancing at a rapid pace and new technologies are constantly emerging in the fields. The challenges faced by today’s engineers are forcing them to keep on top of the emerging trends through continuous research and development. The papers comprising these proceedings cover various topics including: Robotics and automation; Computational intelligence; Design and optimization; Product life-cycle management; Integration of CAD/CAPP/CAM/CIMS; Advanced manufacturing systems; Manufacturing operations management; Knowledge-based manufacturing; Manufacturing quality control and management; Sustainable production; Diagnosis and prognosis of machines; Lean and agile manufacturing; Virtual and grid manufacturing; Resource and asset management; Logistics and supply chain management; RFID applications; Predictive maintenance; Reliability and maintainability in manufacturing; Project management; Renewable energy development; Environment protection; Intelligent detection.

In modern marketing, a pivotal challenge has surfaced - finding the delicate balance between automation and human interaction. This challenge stems from the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, which, while promising unparalleled efficiency and innovation, also lack the personal touch inherent in traditional marketing. As AI gains prominence, marketers grapple with integrating automated processes while preserving the authenticity and emotional resonance that human engagement brings. Balancing Automation and Human Interaction in Modern Marketing positions itself as a guiding force in achieving balance amid the changing marketing landscape. Within the pages of this book lies a comprehensive exploration of contemporary marketing challenges centered on striking the right balance between automation and human interaction. The quest for optimal equilibrium threads through topics such as elevating customer experiences, scalable personalization through AI, emotional intelligence in marketing, and the critical role of human-centered design. By addressing these challenges head-on, the book provides practical advice for implementing AI in marketing but positions ethics at the forefront. It advocates for responsible AI-driven marketing, fostering trust, and ensuring that the human touch remains a cornerstone of brand-consumer relationships.

This book gathers the proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Management Science and Engineering Management (ICMSEM 2019), which was held at Brock University, Ontario, Canada on August 5–8, 2019. Exploring the latest ideas and pioneering research achievements in management science and engineering management, the respective contributions highlight both theoretical and practical studies on management science and computing methodologies, and present advanced management concepts and computing technologies for decision-making problems involving large, uncertain and unstructured data. Accordingly, the proceedings offer researchers and practitioners in related fields an essential update, as well as a source of new research directions.

Introduction to Built Asset Management Provides a multidisciplinary introduction to building maintenance management and execution, covering a wide range of current technical and management issues The maintenance and upgrading of existing buildings is no longer viewed as separate from the operational phase of the completed building. Maintenance and management are now regarded as fundamental parts of a building’s life cycle, forming a significant percentage of the construction industry’s total output. As higher education programmes in the UK and elsewhere continue to place greater emphasis on the longer-term view of construction projects, students and instructors require a thorough and up-to-date textbook that emphasises the comprehensive nature of building maintenance. Introduction to Built Asset Management is a systematic introduction to both the technology and management issues central to building maintenance and refurbishment. Covering the entire life cycle of built assets, the textbook reviews the role of framework agreements, describes key performance indicators, discusses recent advancements in the procurement of maintenance activities and more. Detailed yet accessible chapters include illustrative examples, seminar questions and self-assessment tasks that enable students to measure their progress as they work through the material. Designed to meet the needs of today’s learners, this much-needed textbook: Addresses a variety of both environmental and commercial concerns Evaluates important concepts of sustainability, sustainable maintenance and carbon resilience Discusses the growing retrofit market in the wider context of asset management and maintenance Describes information management tools such as building information modelling (BIM) and geographic information systems (GIS) Introduction to Built Asset Management is ideally suited for courses in construction, construction management, building surveying and facilities management with modules in built asset management and maintenance.

Recent news events related to quality in global supply chains have called attention to the need for more research on supply chains that operate in a global context. Indeed, it would be difficult to find a supply chain that does not cut across national boundaries at some point. The presence of global supply chains introduces a number of new management challenges. Managing Global Supply Chain Relationships: Operations, Strategies and Practices focuses on issues related to relationships among members of global supply chains. This comprehensive work addresses three important aspects of global supply chain relationships: supply chain integration and collaboration; outsourcing and offshoring of production; and recent growth in supplier networks.