I. INTRODUCTION
In the 20th century, the model for large integrated companies was to ‘own, manage, and directly control’ their assets. In the 1950s and 1960s, the companies adopted to diversification methods with a motive to protect profits, even though expansion needed multiple layers of management. Subsequently, organizations that attempted to compete globally in the 1970s and 1980s were handicapped by a lack of agility that resulted from bloated management structures. Hence, in order to increase their flexibility and creativity, many companies decided to develop a new strategy of focusing on their core businesses, this new strategy led to the evolution of a strategy known as ‘Outsourcing’.
Outsourcing can be defined as ‘the strategic use of outside sources to perform activities traditionally handled by internal staff and resources’. In this strategy, the organizations contract out major functions of their manufacturing products to more specialized and efficient service providers, who later become valued business partners. It looks more like a simple supplementation of resources by subcontracting, but it is actually different to outsourcing. In actual outsourcing, the organization is also involved in substantial restructuring of particular business activities including, often, the transfer of staff from a host company to a specialist, usually smaller, company with the required core competencies. The current stage in the evolution of outsourcing is all about the
In general, the outsourcing is hiring the foreign workers/company to do a particular task, as opposed to hiring domestic workers/company. Besides the outsourcing, the international purchase is an essential activity of companies. In the trend of a booming global economy, a company only focuses on its core value and hire suppliers to supply the necessary product and service. The relationship between companies are complicated and interdependent.
Today most of the companies wants cost cutting in their business. Nowadays outsourcing helps to achieve such goals. According to the internet, (www.flatworldsolutions.com), outsourcing can be to as the allocation of specific business processes to a specialist external service provider. Outsourcing is an arrangement in which one company provide services for another company that missing or don't have a specialist in the certain area of expertise. Most of the times, an organization cannot handle all aspects of a business process internally. Additionally some processes are temporary and the organization does not intend to hire in-house professionals to perform the tasks.
It is a concept that has evolved from a manufacturing perspective to a strategic perspective, which views the concept as a way for organizations to focus and be more competitive. The basic premise of outsourcing is that a specialist organization can perform a particular service more efficiently than can internal operations because a specialist organization has an inherent advantage in producing and delivering a service. Superior technology, management skills, or economies of scale may contribute to this perception. The type of sourcing relationship depends on whether a long-term or short-term need exists. To save funds used for benefits for regular employees, temporary workers are hired. In this case, the organization (outsourcer) provides all necessary resources except the workers, who are provided by the vendor. For long-term services, the vendor has full responsibility for delivering the service; the outsourcer provides only a liaison.
Outsourcing has become an integral part of many organizations today. Outsourcing has its advantages and disadvantages that organizations will have to weigh to decide whether or not outsourcing is the best possible solution to their current problems and business operations. Outsourcing refers to the process of hiring external provider to operate on a business or organization function (Venture Outsource, 2012). In this case, two organizations or businesses enter a contract where there will be an exchange of services and payments. This paper will discuss the possible risks an organization may encounter in outsourcing in relation to the use of an external service
Outsourcing is that a product or service provided by outside vendors which but was previously provided internally or that could be provided internally(Pearlson, 2001).It is an effective approach for information system implement in a business organization but a risky one.
Outsourcing can be a means to perform the core functions of an organization effectively by having more time focused on the activities critical to the delivery of services to customer. The non-core activities are performed by the leaders in that area which will help to achieve better efficiencies. Outsourcing can substantially lower costs, help to access better technology and use innovative ideas etc.(Robert,2001). The advantages of outsourcing are: Cost savings:
Outsourcing is when a company purchases products or services from an outside supplier rather than performing the same work within its own facilities, in order to cut costs. In other words, outsourcing is an organization's contractual relationship with a specialized outside service provider for work traditionally done internally by that organization. The decision to outsource is a major strategic one for most companies because it involves weighing the potential cost saving against the consequences of a loss in control over the product or service. Some common examples of outsourcing include manufacturing of components, computer programming services, tax compliance and other accounting functions, as well as payroll and other
Outsourcing refers to an arrangement in which an employer or firm seeks the services of another firm to provide a service or product that may perhaps be provided by the employer (Dessler, 2013, p. 169). Outsourcing is relevant in HRM practice when an employer or company has not been successful in hiring qualified applicants. In addition, HRM personnel can consider outsourcing when there is an urgent need to fill a particular job opening. In practice, outsourcing can be used to refer to a situation whereby an employer seeks the services of employment agencies to find potential employees to fill in various job positions.
Before acquiring its current negative connotation, outsourcing referred to the practice of turning over parts of a business to a company that specialized in that activity. For instance, Cisco Systems, Brocade Communications, and other leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) outsource their manufacturing to Solectron Corporation, where I was a summer intern. By partnering with Solectron, OEMs can gain access to the latest equipment, process knowledge, and manufacturing expertise without making substantial capital investments. In essence, outsourcing to Solectron enables OEMs to focus on their core competencies of research and development and sales
economy. Outsourcing leads to the fragmentation and disintegration of the supply chain, inviting new competitors into the industry, and undermining pricing power and profitability. For instance, is feasible only if it can be separated from other supply chain activities: product development, branding, marketing, distribution, and after sales services. Consequently, the more and more activities outsourced, the supply chain turns from a single integrated process performed within the boundaries of traditional corporations to a fragmented process, performed across several independent subcontractors. Another disadvantage, outsourcing’s unintended consequences extent to company relations with another partner—valued customers. Customers may feel betrayed in each and every activity is outsourced. If I hire Home Depot to make certain improvements in my house because they have reputation to reliable services, I would feel betrayed if I get services from a strangers hired by Home Depot. And I will feel even more betrayed if I end up discussing my medical or financial records with overseas strangers. What seems to be trendy and virtually in business strategy is not always a good
Outsourcing is defined as "the process of purchasing goods and services from outside vendors rather than producing the same goods or providing the same services within the organization." Outsourcing does not come without risks, but it also has its benefits as well. Gaining services or products from outside sources can be very beneficial, considering the alternative that the firm will have to produce them themselves. However, on main risk that is incurred when outsourcing is that when a firm does outsource, they leave the supply of that product or service in the hands of someone of whom they cannot control, contrary to controlling their own supply. Ethical issues are at hand here, as well as trust issues. As you will see in this paper, many different opinions about outsourcing are present among different financial investors and financial officers. Management teams and management leaders are the head personnel that weigh the pro 's and con 's of outsourcing, and this paper will briefly summarize the various opinions, pro 's, con 's, large benefits, and ethical issues dealing with outsourcing.
Outsourcing refers to hiring an outside, independent firm to perform a business function that internal employees might otherwise perform. Many organizations outsource jobs to specialized service companies, which frequently operate abroad. The outsourcing trend stands to continue; the latest wave of outsourcing impacts the information technology field. IT outsourcing includes data center operations, desktop and help desk support, software development, e-commerce outsourcing, software applications services, network operations and disaster recovery.2
“Outsourcing is a business process term for what has literally become known as hiring a consultant, independent contractor, or freelancer to do a specific task or tasks for an organization in which the organization either does not have the time or the expertise to do on their own” (www.internetbasedmoms.com). Outsourcing is commonly said to be the same as offshoring but with the increase in globalisation the distinction between the two has and will become less overtime. Outsourcing is commonly used in business segments such as real estate management, human resources, facilities, accounting, information technology and in this case in the hospitality industry. In the hospitality industry, more specifically in hotels functions such as “Reservation/ Loyalty Contact Centres; Distribution; Fulfilment;
Outsourcing is very advantageous. In addition to reducing costs, it also helps firms and companies to improve the efficiency of business operations. The true line between business goals and deliverables in outsourcing. It also can increase productivity and efficiency. Outsourcing provider with expertise and experience can actually help streamline business processes and contribute to the line. Outsourcers can also benefit from third parties to improve the level of service consistently. This will improve the efficiency and can lead to customer satisfaction and lead the company better prepared for the challenges of specialized market.
The high rate of technology also makes all the operations in an organization to be technologically driven and require extra knowledge in implementing the laid down strategies. Since the process of incorporating the whole idea is more expensive, most companies move away from this structure by investing on the internal resources which are likely to be of competitive advantage and at the same time engage in the external market through outsourcing. The outsourcing strategy assists in lowering of costs in an organization by making use of the market service providers at a lower cost (Dalal, 2011).