The Outsourcing of Information Services: Transforming the Nature of Business in the Information Industry

Authors

Thomas D. Clark, College of Business Administration, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803–6302, USA
Robert W. Zmud, Department of Information and Management Sciences, College of Business, The Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306–1042, USA
Gordon E. Mccray, Wayne Calloway School of Business and Accountancy, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109–7285, USA

Document Type

Research Article

Abstract

The structure of the decision faced by a firm to outsource or to retain information services is developed in this paper. Theory regarding the decision structure is discussed and the results of in-depth interviews with a variety of chief information officers presented. Specifically, the forces that drive the outsourcing decision are identified, the incentives and disincentives of outsourcing relationships being addressed in detail. A framework for contemplating the outsourcing option is presented, followed by recommendations on managing relationships with outsourcing vendors.

DOI

10.1177/026839629501000403

Recommended Citation

Clark, Thomas D.; Zmud, Robert W.; and Mccray, Gordon E. (1995) "The Outsourcing of Information Services: Transforming the Nature of Business in the Information Industry," Journal of Information Technology: Vol. 10: Iss. 4, Article 3.
DOI: 10.1177/026839629501000403
Available at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/jit/vol10/iss4/3