Software as a Service via Application Service Providers (ASPs) Model of Sourcing: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

This paper explores the range of software sourcing options and compares the characteristics of the software as a service via application service providers (ASPs) model of sourcing against three other key outsourcing models. Following this analysis, the results of an exploratory study of the software as a service model of sourcing within the UK business context are presented. By contrasting the characteristics of the various sourcing models against the results of the survey, the paper concludes ASPs who focus their marketing and develop effective client handling skills are likely to succeed and grow despite the current economic downturn.

Keywords:

• Application Service Providers (ASPs)
• Software as a service
• IS/IT Sourcing
• software outsourcing
• utility-based software
• software rental
• software hosting.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Andrew Kakabadse

Andrew Kakabadse BSc MA PhD AAPSW FBPsS FIAM FBAM is Professor of Management Development and Deputy Director of the School of Management. Andrew has consulted and lectured in the UK, Europe, the USA, SE Asia, China, Japan, Russia, Georgia, the Gulf States and Australia. He is Chairman of the Division of Occupational Psychology, British Psychological Society, 2001. Andrew has published 22 books, over 140 articles and 14 monographs. His current areas of interest focus on improving the performance of top executives and top executive teams, enhancing boardroom performance, corporate governance and assessing companies to move up the value chain through strategic outsourcing. Cranfield School of Management, Cranfield, Bedford, MK43 OAL, United Kingdom Email: [email protected] International Tel: [phone] International Fax: [phone]

Nada Korac-Kakabadse BSc Grad.Dip MSc MPA PhD, is currently a Senior Research Fellow at the Cranfield School of Management, Information Systems Group and the co-editor (with Andrew Kakabadse) of the Journal of Management Development and European Editor of the Corporate Governance journal. Nada has published widely in the areas of Leadership, application of IS/IT in corporations, corporate governance, government, boardroom effectiveness, diversity management and ethics. She has published 5 books, including Geopolitics of Governance (2001) and Smart Sourcing (2002), 28 chapters in the international volumes, 3 monographs and over 46 scholarly and reviewed articles. Nada has acted as consultant to numerous public and private sector organisations. Cranfield School of Management, Cranfield, Bedford, MK43 OAL, United Kingdom Email: {{a href=’mailto:[email protected]’}}[email protected]{{/a}} International Tel: [phone] International Fax: [phone]