Outsourcing and Make-or-Buy Decisions
Outsourcing and make-or-buy decisions. What cost factors should influence the decision on whether to outsource the payroll functions?
Horngren, Sundem and Stratton (2004), say that "When managers consider the make-or-buy decision for services, it is often called outsourcing" [1, p255]. Outsourcing "( ) is often defined as the delegation of non-core operations or jobs from internal production within a business to an external entity (such as a subcontractor) that specialises in that operation" [2].
Globalization and increased competition have in a way forced the outsourcing concept into play. Managers strive on finding new ways to increase efficiency, reduce costs and raise profits to shareholders, and shareholders love it. Human resources is just one of the business functions that are traditionally outsourced and like human resources, functions like IT, administration, distribution and logistics, finance and others have been known to been outsourced successfully.
Even though "half of the companies in Outsourcing Institute 's 2002 annual survey say they wanted to improve the company 's focus and reduce operating costs" [1, p257] some authors point that outsourcing "( ) is a decision not to be made only on the basis of economic considerations, since acquisition or loss of core competencies may also be involved" [3]. For example at Satcom, we have hired an Indian company Bahrti Airtel, to run our satellite and ISP systems, effectively outsourcing our core business function. The business functions that remain within Satcom 's control are administrative and financial, commercial, and within the technical department we run in conjunction with the Bharti team helpdesk and installations areas.
The contract with Bharti which was just renovated included also a clause on business intelligence and a commitment for both companies to work together in the offer of new services in the Mozambican market based on Bharti 's experience. This will also create a larger bond
Horngren, Sundem and Stratton (2004), say that "When managers consider the make-or-buy decision for services, it is often called outsourcing" [1, p255]. Outsourcing "( ) is often defined as the delegation of non-core operations or jobs from internal production within a business to an external entity (such as a subcontractor) that specialises in that operation" [2].
Globalization and increased competition have in a way forced the outsourcing concept into play. Managers strive on finding new ways to increase efficiency, reduce costs and raise profits to shareholders, and shareholders love it. Human resources is just one of the business functions that are traditionally outsourced and like human resources, functions like IT, administration, distribution and logistics, finance and others have been known to been outsourced successfully.
Even though "half of the companies in Outsourcing Institute 's 2002 annual survey say they wanted to improve the company 's focus and reduce operating costs" [1, p257] some authors point that outsourcing "( ) is a decision not to be made only on the basis of economic considerations, since acquisition or loss of core competencies may also be involved" [3]. For example at Satcom, we have hired an Indian company Bahrti Airtel, to run our satellite and ISP systems, effectively outsourcing our core business function. The business functions that remain within Satcom 's control are administrative and financial, commercial, and within the technical department we run in conjunction with the Bharti team helpdesk and installations areas.
The contract with Bharti which was just renovated included also a clause on business intelligence and a commitment for both companies to work together in the offer of new services in the Mozambican market based on Bharti 's experience. This will also create a larger bond
References: [1] Horngren C., Stratton W., Sundem G. (2004), Introduction to Management Accounting (13th Edition), pp255-258 [2] Wikipedia, Outsourcing, [Internet] Accessed on: 18th June 2006, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outsourcing [3] – http:// www.touchbriefings.com/pdf/967/laios.pdf [4] Galanaki E., and Papalexandris N. (2005), Outsourcing of human resource management services in Greece, International Journal of Manpower, Vol. 26 No. 4, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 0143-7720, DOI 10.1108/01437720510609564, pp. 382-396 [5] Dickmann M. and Tyson S. (2005), Outsourcing payroll: beyond transaction-cost economics, Personnel Review, Vol. 34 No. 4, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 0048-3486, DOI 10.1108/00483480510599770, pp. 451-467 [6] Baker, D. (1996), Are you throwing money away by outsourcing?, Personnel Journal, Vol. 75, No. 11; ABI/INFORM Select, pp. 105-107