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How much to make and how much to buy? An analysis of optimal plural sourcing strategies

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  • Phanish Puranam
  • Ranjay Gulati
  • Sourav Bhattacharya

Abstract

While many theories of the firm seek to explain when firms make rather than buy, in practice firms often make and buy the same input—they engage in plural sourcing. We argue that explaining the mix of external procurement and internal sourcing for the same input requires a consideration of complementarities across and constraints within modes of procurement. We create analytical foundations for making empirical predictions about when plural sourcing is likely to be optimal and why the optimal mix of internal and external sourcing may vary across situations. Our framework also proves useful for assessing the possible estimation biases in transaction level make‐or‐buy studies arising from ignoring complementarities and constraints. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Phanish Puranam & Ranjay Gulati & Sourav Bhattacharya, 2013. "How much to make and how much to buy? An analysis of optimal plural sourcing strategies," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(10), pages 1145-1161, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:stratm:v:34:y:2013:i:10:p:1145-1161
    DOI: 10.1002/smj.2063
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    Cited by:

    1. Henning Piezunka & Vikas A. Aggarwal & Hart E. Posen, 2022. "The Aggregation–Learning Trade-off," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 33(3), pages 1094-1115, May.
    2. Chris Forman & Kristina McElheran, 2025. "Production Chain Organization in the Digital Age: Information Technology Use and Vertical Integration in U.S. Manufacturing," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 71(2), pages 1027-1049, February.
    3. John K. Mawdsley & Deepak Somaya, 2021. "Relational Embeddedness, Breadth of Added Value Opportunities, and Business Growth," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 32(4), pages 1009-1032, July.

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