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Information Technology Outsourcing Chain: Literature Review and Implications for Development of Distributed Coordination

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  • Malgorzata Pankowska

    (Department of Informatics, University of Economics in Katowice, 0-287 Katowice, Poland)

Abstract

The paper aims to analyse how the management science literature explains sustainable coordination and management of Information Technology (IT) outsourcing chains. The IT outsourcing theories,—that is, transaction cost theory, theory of agency, resource based view, activity based theory, contractual theory, partnership and alliance theory and stakeholder theory—are applied as a background to the analysis. A systematic literature review reveals that IT outsourcing is developed in collaborative networks and chains. There are some mechanisms identified in the literature for outsourcing chains’ management, interchain sustainability, coordination and interchain activities’ cohesion. The complexity of outsourcing relationships presented among outsourcers and outsourcees stimulate looking for new business models. Furthermore, outsourcing chains research would benefit from considering strategy-based theoretical discussions, relationship modelling and project management. The literature survey aims to present outsourcing chains in different aspects, that is, dynamics and agility, communication in chains, compensation and compliance, contracting, stakeholders, decision making models, governance problems, integration, performance measurement, project management and strategy development. This paper intends to emphasize that interchain coordination can be improved by enterprise architecture modelling as well as by the application of blockchain economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Malgorzata Pankowska, 2019. "Information Technology Outsourcing Chain: Literature Review and Implications for Development of Distributed Coordination," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-28, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:5:p:1460-:d:212433
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Hyun-Joon Jo & Timothy Connerton & Hyun-Jung Kim, 2019. "Dynamic Outsourcing Development for Sustainable Competitive Advantage in a High-Tech Backend Semiconductor Equipment Firm," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Antonio Sánchez Soliño, 2019. "Sustainability of Public Services: Is Outsourcing the Answer?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Matthew Minsuk Shin & Jiwon Lee, 2019. "Requirements, Principles, and Performance of Corporate Federalism: A Case of MNC-SME Alliance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-18, May.
    4. Fernando Zambrano Farias & María del Carmen Valls Martínez & Pedro Antonio Martín-Cervantes, 2021. "Explanatory Factors of Business Failure: Literature Review and Global Trends," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-26, September.
    5. Xue Wei & Chen Liang & Wenhui Chen, 2022. "Exploring Current Status and Evolutionary Trends on the Paid Use of State-Owned Forest Resources in China: A Bibliometric Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-23, May.
    6. Flora Kulembayeva & Aruzhan Seitkaziyeva & Rakymzhan Yelshibayev, 2022. "Economic Efficiency of Outsourcing Business Models: A Comparative Assessment," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 23(1), pages 75-88, March.
    7. Dutta, Pankaj & Choi, Tsan-Ming & Somani, Surabhi & Butala, Richa, 2020. "Blockchain technology in supply chain operations: Applications, challenges and research opportunities," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).

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