Managing Outsourcing: The Life Cycle Imperative

Authors

Sara Cullen, The University of MelbourneFollow
Peter Seddon, The University of MelbourneFollow
Leslie P. Willcocks, London School of Economics and Political ScienceFollow

Abstract

Information technology outsourcing (ITO) and, more recently, business process outsourcing (BPO) have received considerable practitioner and academic attention. But no study has yet presented a rigorously developed, structured, and detailed process for client organizations to follow to improve their likelihood of success while minimizing their risk. Based on 100 outsourcing cases from 1994 to 2003, we present a four-phase Outsourcing Lifecycle Model with 54 key activities. The model was tested in 2004 via in-depth interviews in seven large organizations. Our major finding is that the more of this process an outsourcing organization conducts, and conducts well, the greater its success, regardless of its outsourcing objectives.

Recommended Citation

Cullen, Sara; Seddon, Peter; and Willcocks, Leslie P. (2008) "Managing Outsourcing: The Life Cycle Imperative," MIS Quarterly Executive: Vol. 4: Iss. 1, Article 4.
Available at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/misqe/vol4/iss1/4