Outsourcing

Figures; Tables; Acknowledgements; 1. Outsourcing; 2. What we know about outsourcing; 3. A new perspective; 4. The outsourcing process; 5. Shifting the curve; 6. Shifts of the curve; 7. Managing outsourcing; 8. Outsourcing research agenda; 9. Future trends and conclusions; Appendix; References.

Michael J. Mol is Senior Lecturer in Strategic Management, University of Reading Business School. He is also Visiting Researcher at the Management Innovation Lab, London Business School.

'This book offers probably the most comprehensive treatise on outsourcing strategy that exists today. What differentiates this book from others is that the author takes a serious look into various views on outsourcing strategy and offers an unbiased assessment of its short- and long-term performance implications. It is a must-read not only for academics but also for corporate executives in charge of outsourcing strategy.' Masaaki Kotabe, Washburn Chair Professor of International Business and Marketing, Temple University, Philadelphia 'Outsourcing was in danger of becoming over hyped, with an exaggeration of its benefits and neglect of its problems and shortcomings. Michael Mol has served the literature and business practice well by developing a more balanced view that takes into account both opportunities and benefits, as well as limitations and adverse effects. For example, he includes the social cost of outsourcing that has previously been ignored. His main contribution is the following. Reasonably, and convincingly, using both theoretical and empirical argument, he shows that firm performance is an inverse U-shaped function of the extent of outsourcing. There can both too little and too much outsourcing. The book is very helpful in showing how the trade-off between advantages and disadvantages works.' Bart Nooteboom, Professor of Innovation Policy, Tilburg University and member of the Dutch Scientific Council for Government Policy '... I read this book with interest ... It is well structured, well argued, and a compelling read.' Organization Studies