Maturity in IT outsourcing relationships: an exploratory study of client companies
Abstract
Purpose
This research is concerned with the validation of a maturity model for information technology outsourcing relationships. The paper aims to focus on this research.
Design/methodology/approach
This research is validating the cost, resource and partnership stages, respectively, as maturity stages in outsourcing relationships developed and proposed by Gottschalk and Solli‐Sæther.
Findings
First, stages of growth and benchmark variables were validated. Then, the evolving path of growth was examined. Limited support for the stage of growth model was found.
Practical implications
This paper suggests a broad range of organizational activities and structures to guide development from one stage of maturity to the next. To stimulate growth developments, individuals and organizations have to understand and experience transitional events in relationship maturity.
Originality/value
Validation procedure linking stages to benchmark variables is presented. Future empirical research should rephrase some of the authors benchmark variables as well as measurement issues concerned with stages of growth.
Keywords
Citation
Solli‐Sæther, H. and Gottschalk, P. (2008), "Maturity in IT outsourcing relationships: an exploratory study of client companies", Industrial Management & Data Systems, Vol. 108 No. 5, pp. 635-649. https://doi.org/10.1108/02635570810876769
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited