A quantitative model for understanding multiple vendor IT outsourcing. (1st October 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sounderpandian, Jayavel; Balakrishnan, Jaydeep; Cheng, Chun-Hung; Wong, Wai-Chi
• Is Part Of: International journal of procurement management. Volume 3:Number 4(2010)
• Page Start: 428
• Page End: 450
• Publication Date: 2010-10-01
• Subjects: information technology -- IT outsourcing -- multiple vendors -- vendor selection -- quadratic assignment problem -- QAP -- modelling -- outsourcing decisions; Industrial procurement -- Management -- Periodicals; Industrial procurement -- Electronic information resources -- Periodicals; Business logistics -- Periodicals; 658.7205
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1753-8432

Abstract

In this research, we analyse information technology (IT) outsourcing decisions involving multiple vendors and apply modelling techniques to systematically evaluate such outsourcing decisions. We take costs of in-house production, outsourcing, and coordination into consideration simultaneously. Further we also consider the performance of vendors. To make our work more adaptable, we make different assumptions on the interaction of different jobs. For a case considering the interaction of a pair of jobs at a time, a linear model is formulated. An example problem is solved using a practical spreadsheet based optimiser and the managerial use of this model in decision support is emphasised. For a case considering multiple-way interactions among jobs, we formulate a non-linear model. We discuss how to reformulate and solve an equivalent linearised model. An example problem is also presented for illustrative purposes.