Article ID: | iaor20082575 |
Country: | United Kingdom |
Volume: | 16 |
Issue: | 3 |
Start Page Number: | 237 |
End Page Number: | 253 |
Publication Date: | Jul 2007 |
Journal: | European Journal of Information Systems |
Authors: | Willcocks Leslie P., Seddon Peter B., Cullen Sara |
Keywords: | information |
This paper contributes an interpretation of Domberger’s theory of The Contracting Organization for use in an IT outsourcing context, then presents a preliminary test of the validity of that theory using data from an Australian survey of 235 senior IT managers. Our conclusion is that Domberger’s theory appears to be a useful lens for understanding IT outsourcing, and that further research using purpose-collected data is therefore warranted. Phrased differently, Domberger’s four types of benefit of contracting – namely Specialization, Market Discipline, Flexibility, and Cost Savings – appear to be a good way of summarizing senior IT managers’ explanations of why their organizations chose to outsource IT. The paper also conducts a preliminary test of the extent to which these four factors explain the purchasing organization’s satisfaction with IT outsourcing.