The Contracting Organization : A Strategic Guide to Outsourcing

A guide to the theory and practice of contracting, this text looks at the way in which organizations are increasingly contracting out - "outsourcing" - many activities traditionally done in-house. Deregulation, cost reduction, a focus on core activities and the growth of the service economy all drive this process and are examined in the text.

When should organizations contract out services traditionally produced in-house? Is outsourcing another ephemeral management fad, or is it an efficient and effective means of delivering sevices and of adding value? What are the characteristics of strategically sound contracting decisions, and how can organizations prosper from the outsourcing revolution? These questions are among those tackled by Simon Domberger. Based on over a decade of research and consulting experience, its conclusions have many practical implications. The book develops an analytical decision-making framework for the assessment of contracting options, and has relevance in both the private and public sectors. Containing a wealth of illustrations and over 25 case studies, the coverage is fully international. Over 50 companies and public sector organizations are discussed, including well-known names such as Microsoft, BP, Marks & Spencer, and Samsung. This book will be valuable to all those seeking a better understanding of the outsourcing phenomenon, and useful to managers, strategists, management and business consultants, public sector administrators, policy makers, as well as to students of economics, business, management and public administration. Pre-publication Endorsements John Kay, Said Business School Oliver Hart, Harvard University Rob Grant, Georgetown University