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.

One of the most controversial topics in the news is the outsourcing of American jobs to other countries. Outsourced jobs have extended well beyond the manufacturing sector to include white-collar professionals, particularly in information technology, financial services, and customer service. Outsourcing America reveals just how much outsourcing is taking place, what its impact has been and will continue to be, and what can be done about the loss of jobs. More than an exposé, Outsourcing America shows how offshoring is part of the historical economic shift toward globalism and free trade, and demonstrates its impact on individual lives and communities. In addition, the book now features a new chapter on immigration policies and outsourcing, and advice on how individuals can avoid becoming victims of outsourcing. The authors discuss policies that countries like India and China use to attract U.S. industries, and they offer frank recommendations that business and political leaders must consider in order to confront this crisis—and bring more high-paying jobs back to the U.S.A.

How chartered company-states spearheaded European expansion and helped create the world’s first genuinely global order From Spanish conquistadors to British colonialists, the prevailing story of European empire-building has focused on the rival ambitions of competing states. But as Outsourcing Empire shows, from the seventeenth to the twentieth centuries, company-states—not sovereign states—drove European expansion, building the world’s first genuinely international system. Company-states were hybrid ventures: pioneering multinational trading firms run for profit, with founding charters that granted them sovereign powers of war, peace, and rule. Those like the English and Dutch East India Companies carved out corporate empires in Asia, while other company-states pushed forward European expansion through North America, Africa, and the South Pacific. In this comparative exploration, Andrew Phillips and J. C. Sharman explain the rise and fall of company-states, why some succeeded while others failed, and their role as vanguards of capitalism and imperialism. In dealing with alien civilizations to the East and West, Europeans relied primarily on company-states to mediate geographic and cultural distances in trade and diplomacy. Emerging as improvised solutions to bridge the gap between European rulers’ expansive geopolitical ambitions and their scarce means, company-states succeeded best where they could balance the twin imperatives of power and profit. Yet as European states strengthened from the late eighteenth century onward, and a sense of separate public and private spheres grew, the company-states lost their usefulness and legitimacy. Bringing a fresh understanding to the ways cross-cultural relations were handled across the oceans, Outsourcing Empire examines the significance of company-states as key progenitors of the globalized world.

This book provides a new evolutionary perspective on outsourcing. The traditional prioritization of continuous outsourcing has resulted in increased hidden costs that have sabotaged business profits. As a result of undisciplined outsourcing, businesses have lost a defining characteristic of their success: decision control. In contrast, the ability to combine outsourcing with backsourcing is a winning strategy for business leaders across a broad range of industries. In this book, the author traces the essence of the outsourcing industry as it has evolved over the past two centuries. With compelling case studies from the pharmaceutical, aviation, insurance, and cookware industries, this book moves beyond theorizing. It highlights key insights from some of the leading outsourcing pioneers who helped to define the industry. The case studies demonstrate the evolution of outsourcing, from a past marked by a costly outsourcing approach to a future fueled by the diversification of sourcing for optimal business success. Through the provision of decision models and best practices, this book provides academics and practitioners with tangible steps to implement successful outsourcing and backsourcing strategies.

Discusses reasons for outsourcing, the effects of outsourcing, the problems, forces of resistance, creating American jobs and planning for tomorrow's global economy.

"As companies in growing numbers look to outsource functions not related to their core competencies, Bragg's work provides an excellent road map. Demonstrating a firm grasp of the topic, he intelligently walks the reader through the maze, analyzing all aspects of the process (including whether the function should or should not be outsourced). This is a must-read for both novices and veterans alike." --Mary S. Schaeffer Editorial Director and Publisher Accounts Payable Now & Tomorrow "Steve Bragg's Outsourcing gives business decision-makers the insights needed to make the case for or against outsourcing. The first half provides a thorough discussion of all aspects, including evaluating risks and rewards, selecting, contracting, and terminating. The second half provides in-depth analysis of ten different types of outsourcing services, including janitorial, customer service, and accounting. This book provides practical advice that will benefit everyone regardless of the extent of their prior experience." --Dr. Will Yancey, PHD, CPA Independent Consultant "Once again, Steve Bragg has compiled a comprehensive, well-written book that will yield an excellent return on time invested by readers. This is a must-have guide in outsourcing for any manager, whether newly exposed or an expert. I came away with some great ideas from the book!" --James A. Bologa Executive Vice President and CFO Daticon Inc. "Use of carefully considered outsourcing can be a critical component of any corporate strategy. In Outsourcing, Steve Bragg has given an excellent overview of why and when outsourcing should be considered, some precautionary thoughts, and specifics of how to successfully implement and manage any outsourced functions. He has created an excellent guide to the use of outsourcing as a means to enhance corporate success in today's challenging business climate." --Richard V. Souders President and CEO Premier Data Services

Bulldozers, violent thugs, and nonviolent brokers -- The theory : state power, repression, and implications for development -- Outsourcing violence : everyday repression via thugs-for-hire -- Case studies : thugs-for-hire, repression, and mobilization -- Networks of state infrastructural power : brokerage, state penetration, and mobilization -- Brokers in harmonious demolition : mass mobilizers, mediators, and huangniu -- Comparative context : South Korea and India.

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.

THE DEFINITIVE RESOURCE ON OUTSOURCING Outsourcing is the hottest topic in business, and it willlikely stay that way. Managers, workers, executives, and almostanyone else involved in any large business will probably have todeal with it one day, in one way or another. Outsourcing is abusiness issue first and foremost, but it's also a political,personal, and cultural issue that many people, not least managersand executives, find difficult to fully understand. Outsourcing documents the theory, facts, myths, benefits,and costs of outsourcing and gives managers the information theyneed to implement an outsourcing program that will help theirbusiness the most and hurt their employees the least. Bringingtogether noted academics, corporate leaders, and outsourcingpractitioners, the book covers all the major topics in theoutsourcing debate, but also presents expert guidance for businessleaders dealing with the practical side of this global issue: What outsourcing is and is not Which companies can benefit from it Incentives and implications Notable successes and failures Outsourcing for small and large companies Communicating about outsourcing Outsourcing terminology And much more

Special Features: Helps managers · to use outsourcing in meeting today s business challenges· to make the right sourcing decisions - the first time· to achieve operational excellence within and across outsourcing relationships· to communicate outsourcing to your employees, customers and the public· to build new revenue streams through outsourcing· to use outsourcing to reduce corporate risk· to successfully outsource offshore· to craft value-creating outsourcing contracts· to recover a troubled outsourcing relationship· to enhance career as an outsourcing professional About The Book: The Black Book of Outsourcing is a guide to the emerging field of outsourcing management. It will be the most comprehensive and practical outsourcing manual available, including a directory of many of the key vendors in outsourcing management.