From vendors to partners: Information technology and incomplete contracts in buyer‐supplier relationships

Single-Sourcing vs. Multisourcing: An Empirical Analysis of Large Information Technology Outsourcing Arrangements

Single-Sourcing Versus Multisourcing: An Empirical Analysis of Large Information Technology Outsourcing Arrangements

Policy Abstract

As the information technology (IT) services landscape matures, clients are increasingly adopting multisourcing arrangements that involve multiple vendors. Although a large body of IS literature addresses issues of whether to outsource (to a single vendor), what types of contracts to use, and how to achieve optimal relational governance, little is known about the antecedents and consequents of the single versus multisourcing decision. Moreover, although conceptual and analytical models of single-sourcing versus multisourcing have been developed, there is no empirical IS research using a large-scale data set with rigorous econometric analysis that examines the antecedents and consequents of multisourcing in the IT context. This paper fills this void, using the transaction cost economic lens and a data set of 49,057 large IT outsourcing arrangements that spans multiple industries and dates back 25 years. For managers who plan to multisource IT outsourcing arrangements, this research provides guidance to minimize exchange hazards through a better understanding of the relationship between sourcing choice, client IT outsourcing capabilities, the competitiveness of the vendor landscape, and the number of IT services in an IT outsourcing arrangement. We provide empirical evidence that the choice between single-sourcing and multisourcing is material to the performance of outsourcing contracts, as an incorrect sourcing choice is likely to result in negative contract outcomes.

Investigating social factors and their impact on value co-creation in supply chain ecosystems

Purpose

As coopetition often characterizes relationships in ecosystems, social factors are particularly important to ensure resilient and reliable relationships, therefore efficient collaboration, and a corresponding outcome. Social factors have so far only been considered as peripheral factors in the ecosystem literature. Thus, this study aims to analyse the current state of literature to provide initial insights into the impact of social factors on value co-creation in supply chain ecosystems.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured literature review was conducted. Eleven articles were identified which explicitly examined social factors in the context of supply chain ecosystems.

Findings

The findings showed that in current research contributions, especially three social factors are considered crucial for value co-creation within supply chain ecosystems: trust, commitment and mindset. Moreover, researchers focus so far only on positive-affected social factors.

Research limitations/implications

The findings enable ecosystem orchestrators as well as actors to strengthen social factors in supply chain ecosystems. The cultivation and proactive consideration of social factors is crucial for efficient and effective collaboration and has a corollary effect on supply chain ecosystems value co-creation.

Originality/value

This paper extends the limited literature on social factors within supply chain ecosystems, notably from a strategic management perspective. The findings help scholars to understand why social factors do play a crucial role regarding the value co-creation in supply chain ecosystem and how specific social factors influence the overall business outcome. By raising awareness of the importance of social factors for all ecosystem actors, complementary cooperation in the ecosystem improves, which in turn has a positive impact on value co-creation.

An Examination of the Importance of Core Competencies and Relationship Management in IT Outsourcing Agreements

In spite of the fact that IT outsourcing has been repeatedly proven to improve firms’ performance, few studies of the strategic importance of IT outsourcing have been undertaken in Eastern cultural contexts. To better understand IT outsourcing performance in an Eastern culture, the authors draw on the strategic orientation-performance framework as they investigate the unique capabilities of firms that determine IT outsourcing performance. The authors highlight the strategic role of client-vendor relationships, and explain that these relationships are influenced by IT outsourcing process management capacity, core competency orientation, and relationship-specific investment in IT outsourcing practices. The quality of this client-vendor relationship, in turn, affects the performance of the IT outsourcing unit. Empirically examining their research model through structural equation modeling, the authors present new insights for IT outsourcing by emphasizing the role of strategic decision making. The authors’ findings can enable client firms in Eastern cultures to improve the outcomes of their outsourcing decisions.