Outsourcing projects success: the role of competence and leadership of the vendors and clients project managers

Abstract

This study examined the link between clients and vendors' managerial competencies and leadership with Information Systems outsourcing (ISO) project success. At present, ISO is a multi-billion dollar industry, and has spawned a new industry related to contract management. At the micro-level, ISO offers firms economic, strategic, and technical benefits. Various academic and industry publications have observed the critical importance of managerial competencies in influencing ISO project success. Yet, research that investigates the relationship between managerial competencies and ISO project success is scant. We developed a model stipulating that the competencies -- with a focus on business and IT knowledge -- and leadership of the project manager from both the client and the vendor organization influence the success of the outsourcing project.