Outsourcing: Challenges for Research and Practice

Part of the 2009 Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) seminar series on Trends in Modern Operations Management.

University of Strathclyde Business School

14th October 2009

Overview

The future of outsourcing is under renewed discussion as a result of the worldwide economic downturn. The parameters for economic debate seem to have shifted, which poses a range of questions: for academic researchers on how best to build on existing frameworks for empirical research on outsourcing; for business managers and professionals on how to refine practical approaches to decision making in this area; and for public sector policy makers on how to stimulate the development of a high value outsourcing industry in their region or country.

This seminar aims to provide a common forum for academic researchers, business managers and professionals and policy makers to explore pertinent issues and themes, including:

• Global sourcing of business, professional and IT services, and the role of operations management
• New models for informed decision making on outsourcing
• Legal and contractual issues in outsourcing
• current developments in the contact centre industry.

Aims

This event is sponsored by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Aston Business School and Strathclyde Institute for Operations Management. There will be presentations from leading academics and renowned industry experts. There will also be time to network with other professionals to be able to share experiences about the topic.

Agenda

• 10:00 Welcome, Dr. Robert van der Meer, Strathclyde Institute for Operations Management

• 10:15 Professor Ronan McIvor, University of Ulster, Services Outsourcing and Operations Management: Towards a Research Agenda

• 10:45 Marcus Hickman, Executive Research Director, Contact Centre Association, New Sourcing Strategies

• 11:15 Coffee

• 11:30 Professor Umit Bititci & Professor Val Belton, University of Strathclyde, Decision Modelling for Informed Outsourcing

• 12:00 Panel Discussion

• 12:30 Lunch

• 1:30 Professor Mari Sako, Said Business School, University of Oxford, Global Strategies in the Legal Services Market

• 2:00 Douglas Mathie, Technology, Information & Outsourcing Group, Brodies LLP, Legal and Contractual Issues in Outsourcing

• 2:30 Dr Marisa Smith, Strathclyde Institute for Operations Management, University of Strathclyde, Innovation in Contact Centres

• 3:00 Panel Discussion

• 3:30 Closing Remarks (finish for 3:45pm)

Who should attend?

We welcome participants from industry, government and academia. We especially welcome Postgraduate students (who are eligible for expenses).

The event is free for all, but spaces are limited and allocated on a first come first served basis.

Further information

Location: Strathclyde University in Glasgow

When: Wednesday 14 October 2009.

To register:

Contact Dr Jill MacBryde on 0141-548 4549 or email  jillian.macbryde@strath.ac.uk.