An Introduction to the Offshore Service Ethnocentrism Construct

Abstract

This study employed a series of in-depth interviews, supplemented by a literature review, to identify six elements that frame the offshore service ethnocentrism construct: security concerns, home country bias, animosity towards firms that offshore, enmity toward overseas service providers, communication/anxiety concerns, and support for legislation against offshoring. While some interviewees vehemently opposed services offshoring on all grounds, other respondents were concerned about particular aspects of the practice. Additionally, certain respondents were accepting of imported physical goods but opposed services being offshored indicating that these constructs are separate in the minds of consumers. A discussion of the findings and suggestions for future research are provided.

KEYWORDS:

• animosity
• ethnocentrism
• international services
• offshoring
• outsourcing