Managing an IT-outsourcing partnership in Asia. Case study: the relationship between a global outsourcing company and its global IT services supplier

Abstract

The article describes a case study of an Asian information technology (IT) outsourcing partnership in the discrete manufacturing industry. Interviews with business and IT executives of both the outsourcing company and the IT supplier provided the necessary insights. Nowadays, many organizations in discrete manufacturing move their plants to Asian countries or other lower wage countries. Most IT suppliers in Asia are relatively inexperienced with the management of IT-outsourcing relationships. But not only are the IT suppliers inexperienced, also the outsourcing companies do not have track records in the management of IT-outsourcing relationships. Moreover, besides the level of experience also cultural issues play an important role in this matter. Contrary to the level of experience, the cultural factor will not change over the years. The article aims to provide a better understanding of managing IT-outsourcing partnerships in developing Asian countries on the basis of an IT-outsourcing partnership model.