The decision to outsource software development to an overseas firm (offshoring) is frequently looked at in simple economic terms - it's cheaper and skilled labour is easier to find. In practice, however, offshoring is fraught with difficulties. As well as the considerable challenge of controlling projects at a distance, there are differences in culture, language, business methods, politics and many other issues to contend with. Nevertheless, as many firms have discovered, the benefits of getting it right are too great to ignore. This book explains everything you need to know to put offshoring into practice, avoid the pitfalls and develop effective working relationships. Split into three parts: offshoring fundamentals; management competencies; and a section on broader issues including a unique look at the viewpoint of an outsourcing provider. Written for CTOs, CIOs, consultants and other IT executives, this book is also an excellent introduction to outsourcing for business and MIS students.

This publication explores two overlapping niche sourcing markets: rural sourcing and impact sourcing. Rural sourcing is the practice of locating information technology outsourcing (ITO) or business process outsourcing (BPO) delivery centers in low-cost, non-urban areas. Impact sourcing is the practice of hiring and training marginalized people in ITO or BPO services who normally would have few opportunities for good employment. Rural sourcing and impact sourcing intersect when marginalized people in rural areas are hired, trained, and employed in ITO or BPO businesses. Based on 62 interviews with providers and clients in the US, Israel, India, and China, this concise study discusses challenges, best practices, and lessons for providers seeking to build ITO and BPO capabilities in remote areas or with unique populations and for clients seeking to buy their services.

Distance is dead. Time zones are not. Millions of knowledge workers coordinate daily with partners around the globe, yet nearly all overlook the myriad ways that time zones affect their productivity. In I'm Working While They're Sleeping veteran American University researchers Erran Carmel and J. Alberto Espinosa distill more than a decade of research to address time zone challenges in practical terms. The authors offer case studies, stories from global corporations, and recommendations you can immediately put to use. Discover why timeshifting is the key solution for time zone-challenged teams. Recognize why scattertime may be the work mode of the future. Learn how both Follow-the-Sun and Round-the-Clock leverage time zones, but in very different ways. Understand how to think strategically--- not just tactically--about time zones.