Find out more about outsourcing business processes to improve your company's performance, common traps to avoid and how to implement outsourcing successfully. Our selection of books, articles, links and guides can help you identify strategies, techniques and best practice to apply to your business.
Online books, guides and publications
eBooks
The library provides full text access to a selection of key business and reference eBooks from leading publishers.
Outsourcing handbook: How to implement a successful outsourcing process
Power, Mark J.; Desouza, Kevin C.; Bonifazi, Carlo (Kogan Page, 2006)
This book provides a hands-on and applied approach to exploring the intricacies of commencing, managing, renewing and/or terminating outsourcing engagements. It focuses on operational details of the outsourcing life cycle.
CFO insights: Achieving high performance through finance business process outsourcing
Clements, Stewart; Donnellan, Michael (Wiley, 2004)
"Today, many leading-edge companies are using BPO (business process outsourcing) not only to cut costs and improve efficiency, but as a path to enterprise-wide transformation. [This book] offers practical advice and strategies you can use to quickly harness this powerful tool and enhance your company's performance. The book features frontline CFO advice, original research, in-depth case studies, and best-practice data and analysis."
You will need to be logged-in to the website to read these eBooks.
Online articles
The library provides access to a range of articles in full text from leading business, finance and management journals.
You will need to be logged-in to the website to gain full access to the range of articles available online.
Small Business Update
Small Business Update is a monthly magazine for SMEs with articles covering the latest regulatory developments, practical advice and hot topics.
Useful links
Outsourcing (Business Link)
Information and guidance from Business Link to help small businesses decide on outsourcing, how to choose a partner and increase competitiveness.
KPMG Sourcing Advisory Global Pulse Survey
Quarterly survey providing insights into trends in the shared services, outsourcing, third-party business and IT service markets, based on data from KPMG's own field advisors and leading global service providers.
Six keys to a successful BPO transition (PDF 691kb/5 pages)
White Paper from Genpact which discusses the six key stages of outsourcing business processes, based on the experience of eBay’s BPO programme as a result of its fast growth.
Value assurance: A route to optimising your outsourcing relationship
This article from Equaterra discusses value assurance exercises as a tool to review and optimise an outsourcing relationship. Value assurance takes a more holistic view and includes an assessment of the '6P' areas of the relationship including people and governance, perception, process and performance.
Sustain competitive advantage by rethinking your business services models
Article written by Bob Cecil in 2010 and re-published by Equaterra which looks at trends in outsourcing and offshoring business services following the economic downturn and the emergence of cloud computing. The author suggests that companies which are willing to fundamentally shift their business models may be more competitive in the long term.
Top ten things to consider when selecting an outsourcing destination (PDF 297kb/4 pages)
Discussion paper published by Genpact in 2009 which provides an overview of 'the top ten criteria that should factor into the destination decision'.
Business process outsourcing (Accenture)
Useful website from Accenture which provides case studies, full text articles and surveys looking at the outsourcing of finance and accounting activities. The site includes the report Now is the time to outsource finance and accounting to achieve high performance.
National Outsourcing Association (NOA)
A not-for-profit organisation aiming to be the UK's 'centre of excellence in outsourcing'. The website provides access to research, publications and information on business strategy and best practice relating to outsourching, shared services and insourcing.
Management Tools & Trends (Bain & Company)
Annual survey from Bain & Company looking at the usage of management tools. The website provides an executive summary and briefings on the management tools covered, including outsourcing. The website features section on individual tools covering usage, methodology and current levels of satisfaction. Tools covered include strategic planning, customer relationship management, benchmarking, outsourcing and the balanced scorecard.
Off-shoring and the City of London (PDF 969KB/92 pages)
A report published by the Corporation of London in April 2005 which examines the extent and impact of offshoring on London's financial services industry.
Contracting out the finance function (CIMA) (PDF 195kb/6 pages)
Technical briefing published by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants in 2001.
Outsourcing Centre
US based internet portal 'specializing in thought leadership, best practices and innovation' relating to successful outsourcing, offshoring and shared services. The website provides information, research and case studies 'targeted to the information decision-makers seeking emerging trends and best practices in outsourcing as a strategic business solution.'
Outsourcing Institute
Useful website from the international professional association in this field which collects together a range of articles and news on outsourcing, as well as sections for its B2B marketplace and executive advisory network. Access to the news and article database is free but requires registration.
Sourcing Interests Group (SIG)
'Membership-driven organization comprised of sourcing and outsourcing professionals. Members are focused on improving bottom-line performance, quality and customer service through strategic sourcing/procurement and outsourcing initiatives. SIG is acknowledged by many as a world leader in providing an ongoing forum and services to assist companies in strategy development, the improvement of goods and services sourcing, and the implementation and management of corporate services through outsourcing, offshoring, insourcing and shared services.'
Articles and books in the Library collection
To find out how you can borrow books from the Library please see our guide to book loans.
You can obtain copies of articles or extracts of books and reports by post, fax or email through our document delivery service.
Can't find what you're looking for?
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