Outsourcing: 'Functional', 'fashionable', or 'foolish'?

James D Hunter; G Richard Gates

Outsourcing: 'Functional', 'fashionable', or 'foolish'?

James D Hunter, G Richard Gates

UNE Business School

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

Abstract

The growth in popularity of the outsourcing phenomenon is obvious, yet questions remain as to the rationale for its adoption. Is it a 'blinkered' decision made by managers looking for a 'quick fix' solution in order to meet performance objectives set by their masters; or a decision reached through critical analysis of all the dimensions encompassed by the outsourcing process? An examination of current management practice and research suggests that managers are ill prepared to undertake the critical assessment required to folly comprehend the dimensions of outsourcing. This paper discusses these issues and their implications, urging caution in the unquestioning adoption of management fads that are short on critical thought and long on ideological rhetoric.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Management Theory and Practice: Moving to a New Era
Editors	Gerard Griffin
Place of Publication	South Yarra, Australia
Publisher	Macmillan Education Australia
Pages	133-144
ISBN (Print)	0732950457
Publication status	Published - 1998
Event	ANZAM 1997: 11th Annual Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management Conference - Melbourne, Australia Duration: 4 Dec 1997 → 7 Dec 1997

Conference

Conference	ANZAM 1997: 11th Annual Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management Conference
City	Melbourne, Australia
Period	4/12/97 → 7/12/97

Keywords

Organisation and Management Theory
Organisational Planning and Management

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https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/10942

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@inproceedings{23ebe6924592458a879ca395f169be86,

title = "Outsourcing: 'Functional', 'fashionable', or 'foolish'?",

abstract = "The growth in popularity of the outsourcing phenomenon is obvious, yet questions remain as to the rationale for its adoption. Is it a 'blinkered' decision made by managers looking for a 'quick fix' solution in order to meet performance objectives set by their masters; or a decision reached through critical analysis of all the dimensions encompassed by the outsourcing process? An examination of current management practice and research suggests that managers are ill prepared to undertake the critical assessment required to folly comprehend the dimensions of outsourcing. This paper discusses these issues and their implications, urging caution in the unquestioning adoption of management fads that are short on critical thought and long on ideological rhetoric.",

keywords = "Organisation and Management Theory, Organisational Planning and Management",

author = "Hunter, \{James D\} and Gates, \{G Richard\}",

year = "1998",

language = "English",

isbn = "0732950457",

pages = "133--144",

editor = "Gerard Griffin",

booktitle = "Management Theory and Practice: Moving to a New Era",

publisher = "Macmillan Education Australia",

note = "ANZAM 1997: 11th Annual Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management Conference ; Conference date: 04-12-1997 Through 07-12-1997",

}

Hunter, JD & Gates, GR 1998, Outsourcing: 'Functional', 'fashionable', or 'foolish'? in G Griffin (ed.), Management Theory and Practice: Moving to a New Era. Macmillan Education Australia, South Yarra, Australia, pp. 133-144, ANZAM 1997: 11th Annual Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management Conference, Melbourne, Australia, 4/12/97. <https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/10942>

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T2 - ANZAM 1997: 11th Annual Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management Conference

AU - Hunter, James D

AU - Gates, G Richard

PY - 1998

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N2 - The growth in popularity of the outsourcing phenomenon is obvious, yet questions remain as to the rationale for its adoption. Is it a 'blinkered' decision made by managers looking for a 'quick fix' solution in order to meet performance objectives set by their masters; or a decision reached through critical analysis of all the dimensions encompassed by the outsourcing process? An examination of current management practice and research suggests that managers are ill prepared to undertake the critical assessment required to folly comprehend the dimensions of outsourcing. This paper discusses these issues and their implications, urging caution in the unquestioning adoption of management fads that are short on critical thought and long on ideological rhetoric.

AB - The growth in popularity of the outsourcing phenomenon is obvious, yet questions remain as to the rationale for its adoption. Is it a 'blinkered' decision made by managers looking for a 'quick fix' solution in order to meet performance objectives set by their masters; or a decision reached through critical analysis of all the dimensions encompassed by the outsourcing process? An examination of current management practice and research suggests that managers are ill prepared to undertake the critical assessment required to folly comprehend the dimensions of outsourcing. This paper discusses these issues and their implications, urging caution in the unquestioning adoption of management fads that are short on critical thought and long on ideological rhetoric.

KW - Organisation and Management Theory

KW - Organisational Planning and Management

UR - http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/7154108

M3 - Conference contribution

SN - 0732950457

SP - 133

EP - 144

BT - Management Theory and Practice: Moving to a New Era

A2 - Griffin, Gerard

PB - Macmillan Education Australia

CY - South Yarra, Australia

Y2 - 4 December 1997 through 7 December 1997

ER -

Outsourcing: 'Functional', 'fashionable', or 'foolish'?

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