Theoretical Perspectives on the Outsourcing of Information Systems

Authors

Myun J. Cheon, College of Business Administration, University of Ulsan, Ulsan 680–749, Korea
Varun Grover, Management Science Department, College of Business Administration, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USAFollow
James T.C. Teng, Management Science Department, College of Business Administration, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA

Document Type

Research Article

Abstract

Critics have argued that the field of information systems (IS) lacks a coherent theoretical framework. This paper attempts to further the theoretical development of a critical and pervasive contemporary phenomenon, outsourcing of IS functions, by synthesizing four theoretical models (resource-based theory, resource-dependence theory, transaction cost theory and agency theory) that are useful for understanding determinants of a firm's outsourcing strategy. From these theoretical models, a contingency model of outsourcing is developed which can be used to direct empirical research.

DOI

10.1177/026839629501000402

Recommended Citation

Cheon, Myun J.; Grover, Varun; and Teng, James T.C. (1995) "Theoretical Perspectives on the Outsourcing of Information Systems," Journal of Information Technology: Vol. 10: Iss. 4, Article 2.
DOI: 10.1177/026839629501000402
Available at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/jit/vol10/iss4/2