Offshoring – the new dilemma of IS research (original) (raw)

Offshoring is increasingly used in many IT contexts. Offshoring creates new relations and dimensions contrary to traditional IT with closer links between using and producing organizations; a tripartite is replacing duality and introduces new elements to the traditional views. Issues of criticality for IS researchers in observation of technology and organizations in offshoring are found to be: (1) The physical distances between the players in offshoring require different lines of communication and governance. (2) "Cultural" distance is a set of differences introduced through business practices, working culture, customs and global/local mindset. (3) Knowledge transfer, learning and innovation is bidirectional, but external and displaced contrary to a former state; also new groups are introduced in this work with no IS/IT tradition. (4) Certain social aspects have a particular influence as offshoring is a part of the global competition for professional services with price as ...