A Systematic Review of Recent Developments in IT Outsourcing Research

ABSTRACT

Incomplete conceptualization of the information technology outsourcing (ITO) literature represents a challenge for navigating extant research and engaging into purposeful academic discourse. We extend the analysis of empirical findings on determinants of ITO decisions, outcomes, and governance. We identify increasing levels of research maturity, analyze effects of 38 new independent variables, highlight contradictory findings, and observe increasing interest in emerging topics such as innovation through ITO and multisourcing.

Abbreviations: AIS: Association for Information Systems; ASP: Application Service Provision; EBIT: Earnings Before Interest and Taxes; CIO: Chief Information Officer; IS: Information Systems; IT: Information Technology; ITO: Information Technology Outsourcing; OTH: Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule/East Bavarian Technical University; PPE: Profit Per Employee; R&D: Research & Development; ROA: Return on Assets; TCO: Total Cost of Ownership; TU: Technische Universität/Technical University

KEYWORDS:

• Information technology
• outsourcing
• literature review
• sourcing outcomes
• sourcing decisions
• multisourcing

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Michael Könning

Michael Könning is a PhD candidate at TU Dresden, Germany. His research focuses on IT sourcing in the context of strategic IS management. He holds a Master’s Degree in Information Systems from the University of Münster, Germany. Previously, he worked as a management consultant for McKinsey & Company in their Business Technology Office, advising clients in the media, telecommunication, and automotive sectors on IS strategy and IS governance topics.

Markus Westner

Markus Westner is a Professor in the Faculty of Computer Science & Mathematics at OTH Regensburg, Germany. Markus has industry experience in consulting from one of the world’s leading management consultancies. He earned his PhD at European Business School, Germany. He has published in – amongst others – Information & Management, Journal of Information Technology Theory and Application, Journal of Information Technology Management, and TQM Journal. Markus has been reviewer for numerous conferences and journals. He is an Associate Editor for Information & Management. His research concerns information systems strategy, in particular the field of IS sourcing and IS governance.

Susanne Strahringer

Susanne Strahringer is a Professor of Business Information Systems, especially IS in Manufacturing and Commerce, at TU Dresden (TUD), Germany. Before joining TUD, she held positions at the University of Augsburg and the European Business School. She graduated from Darmstadt University of Technology where she also obtained her PhD and completed her habilitation thesis. She has published in – amongst others – Information & Management, Journal of Information Technology Theory and Application, Information Systems Management, Journal of Information Systems Education. Her research interests focus on IS management, ERP systems, and enterprise modeling.