Outsourcing Provider Research Articles

PolyWorm: Leveraging Polymorphic Behavior to Implant Hardware Trojans

Owing to the various challenges looming over the integrated circuit (IC) supply chain for the sub-nm technology nodes, researchers are looking into emerging devices to design the next generation of high performance and low-power chips. The magnetoelectric spin-orbit (MESO) switch, developed by Intel™, is a front-runner in this search and is currently in a state of advanced experimental research. To ensure faster time-to-market and reap the existing supply chain’s benefits, it is envisioned that the upcoming MESO devices will be coupled and hybridized with the existing complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) industrial framework. However, adopting the existing CMOS framework and incorporating it’s outsourced supply chain increases exposure to various security threats such as design intellectual property (IP) piracy, overproduction of ICs, and insertion of hardware Trojans (HT) to leak information or cause denial-of-service. This article proposes and investigates a stealthy HT insertion technique, <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">PolyWorm</i> , leveraging the polymorphic capabilities of MESO gates in hybrid MESO-CMOS architectures. We evaluate the efficacy of <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">PolyWorm</i> on ITC-99 benchmarks and demonstrate two use-case scenarios, viz., corrupting the intended design functionality and leaking the secret key from a cryptographic core. We also present a low-footprint domain wall-based trigger for our polymorphic Trojan to evade structural and power-based testing.

Algorithms for multiple attribute group decision making with intuitionistic 2-tuple linguistic information and its application

Recently, the TODIM has been used to deal with multiple attribute decision making (MADM) problems. The intuitionistic 2-tuple linguistic sets (I2TLSs) are useful tools to depict uncertainty in MADM. This paper use TODIM method to solve MADM with the intuitionistic 2-tuple linguistic numbers (I2TLNs). Firstly, the concepts of I2TLNs are briefly presented, and classical TODIM for MADM are introduced. Then, the classical TODIM method is used to solve MADM with I2TLNs, and its important characteristic is to fully consider the decision makers’ bounded rationality which is a real action in MADM. And a comparative analysis is also given. Finally, a numerical example for service outsourcing providers selection is proposed.

How does the power dynamics in the information technology outsourcing supply chain influence supplier's talent retention: a multiple case study

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate how the power dynamics between the client firm and the supplier firm in the information technology outsourcing (ITO) supplier chain influence the supplier firm's human resource management (HRM) practices, particularly talent retention.Design/methodology/approachA multi-case study approach was adopted comprising four supplier firms, three client firms and a total of 53 interviews. The transaction cost economics (TCE) is the theoretical lens that guides the interpretation of our findings.FindingsThe power dynamics between client and supplier firms in the ITO supply chain is one underpinned by TCE theory, characterised by an asymmetric client-dominated, transactional relationship, with the client firms controlling the “why”, the “what”, and the “how” dimensions of their collaboration. This “three-dimensional control” led to high talent turnover in supplier firms, which boomerangs to perpetuate the power dynamic, forming “vicious cycles of talent turnover” in the ITO supplier chain. Originality/valueNo previous study has analysed power dynamics as an external factor on ITO supplier firms' talent retention. The construct of the “three-dimensional-control” offers a framework to study power dynamics in the ITO supplier chain. The study’s framework of the “vicious cycles of talent turnover” is the first that explains the mechanisms through which the power dynamics in the ITO influences supplier's talent retention.

Outsourcing insurance in the time of COVID-19: The cyber risk dilemma

With the shift towards teleworking/working from home in recent years and accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, insurers are finding themselves relying on outsourcing as a way to cope with changes in business models and requirements. This has augmented the risk of cyberattacks and is ultimately considered a high risk for insurers of any size, not only because it subjects insurers to litigation concerning data breaches, but also because of the harm to the insurer’s reputation when an attack happens, which is further magnified by resultant loss of system use. Clients already have the perception that insurers are too invasive when it comes to personal data (especially in the medical and life insurance fields), so they are blamed for not handling cyber risk meticulously regardless of whether it is the outsourcing provider’s fault. Risk managers in insurance companies need to apply enterprise risk management (ERM) principles and identify cyber risks across the entire process to manage these risks. The paper proposes some potential policy solutions that would help insurers mitigate outsourcing cyber risks. Further research is required in this field, specifically into what strategies insurers are implementing to deal with the risks posed by the outsourcing provider’s cyber risk and which of those strategies have fared better than others thus far.

Work Agreement on Outsourcing System and Legal Protection for Workers

The outsourcing work system is expected to provide legal protection for workers. The status of the employment relationship between the worker and the employer is stated in the Employment Agreement (SPK). The purpose of this study is to determine the advantages of implementing an outsourcing work contract model for companies, legal protection for workers with an outsourcing work contract model, and the efforts that the government has made in anticipating the emergence of industrial relations disputes between outsourced workers and labor supply companies and employers' companies. The method used is normative juridical, using secondary data as the primary data as supporting data. Secondary data was obtained by conducting a literature study through literature and legislation. The analysis was carried out qualitatively. The results of this study found that for companies to cost of production efficiency (cost of production), the government hopes to provide benefits to develop and encourage community economic growth and national economic growth. In the practice of outsourcing, wage discrimination often occurs between permanent workers who work for the principal company (employer company) and outsourcing workers (contract workers), continuing work with a contract work system. Protection for workers is provided by the existence of labor law because, by law, it means that there is a state guarantee to provide decent work to protect it in the workplace, such as health, work safety, and living wages. Apart from that, it is also up to the provision of social security after retirement, through trade unions or labor unions, providing legal assistance in case of problems, both in terms of non-judicial legal remedies and judicial legal efforts.

A catalog of information systems outsourcing risks

Information systems outsourcing risks are a vital component in the decision and management process associated to the provision of information systems and technology services by a provider to a customer. Although there is a rich literature on information systems outsourcing risks, the accumulated knowledge on this area is fragmented. In view of this situation, an argument is put forward on the usefulness of having a theory that integrates the various constructs related to information systems outsourcing risks. This study aims to contribute towards the synthesis of that theory, by proposing a conceptual framework for interpreting the literature and presenting a catalog of information systems outsourcing risks. The conceptual framework articulates together six key risk elements, namely dangers, negative outcomes, undesirable consequences, factors and mitigation actions. The catalog condenses and categorizes the information systems outsourcing risk elements found on the literature reviewed, both from the perspective of the outsourcing customer and from the perspective of the outsourcing provider. Proposals for subsequent work towards the generation of the theory of information systems outsourcing risk are suggested.

АУТСОРСИНГ УЧЕТНЫХ ФУНКЦИЙ: ТРЕНДЫ И ПРОГНОЗЫ РАЗВИТИЯ РЫНКА

The article presents the results of analysis of the trends of the Russian market of accounting functions outsourcing. The article offers hypotheses about possible nature and reasons for the existing trends in the development of the analyzed market. The dynamics of the global volumes of the outsourcing market, the growth rates of total revenue, revenue per employee, and income structure of outsourcing companies in the areas of accounting functions being outsourced were analyzed. The authors predict the growth of the outsourcing market, which is partly due to the transition to the FAS, the weakening of the impact of the pandemic and the withdrawal of foreign companies from the Russian market. In particular, the growth of the areas of “payroll calculation” and “personnel accounting and personnel records management” will be caused by the employment of refugees who arrived in Russia as a consequence of conducting the special military operation. Significant prerequisites for dramatic changes in the distribution of the income structure in the area of accounting functions outsourcing have not been revealed. The defining trend among outsourcing providers will be the use of automation tools, digitalization, as well as the development of software products for optimizing both their own business processes and the business processes of client companies. Generally, the accounting functions outsourcing market is estimated in a short term as dynamically developing and investment-attractive one.

A Model for Selecting Knowledge Management Outsourcing Supplier by an Insurance Company

A Model for Selecting Knowledge Management Outsourcing Supplier by an Insurance Company

Information Technology Outsourcing in Nepal: Strengths, Challenges, and Priorities

Nepal has not been able to harness its growth potential on information technology outsourcing on the borders of two of the world's largest outsourcing providers – India and China – due to prolonged political instability. The IT outsourcing industry plays a major role in driving socio-economic growth. The success of IT outsourcing is largely dependent upon the vendor's internal strength, industry-specific environmental factors, and country-specific policies. This research is focused on outsourcing strategies on vendor’s perspective, as many emerging markets continue to struggle to establish a foothold in the international market. A snowball sampling method was used to collect quantitative data among the respondents inside Kathmandu valley and respondents were outsourcing companies, freelancers, consultants, and policymakers. Variables were drawn from the the expert's input and literature review. Data were properly tested for reliability using Cronbach’s Alpha, and results were validated using convergent and discriminant validity. The analysis included descriptive analysis followed by structural equation modelling. The study identified six key strategic factors for emerging market: banking priority to IT outsourcing industry, growth capacity of the service provider, intellectual property, country specific specialization, foreign direct investment, and the HR structure of the vendor. It is suggested that policymakers of emerging nations include IT outsourcing in an economic strategy and prepare baseline framework incorporating these success factors.

Does the expertise of outsourced IAF providers affect audit efficiency? Empirical evidence from an emerging market

PurposeThis study aims to examine the effect on audit efficiency of outsourced internal audit function (IAF) providers with industry and/or firm-specific expertise. Drawing on relevant studies from external and internal audit literature, the authors assume that such IAF providers are associated with greater audit efficiency as proxied by audit report lag and audit fees.Design/methodology/approachBased on a sample of firms listed on the Omani capital market during 2005–2019, the pooled regressions are used to test the developed hypotheses. The authors use the market share approach to identify outsourced IAF industry expertise providers and tenure to measure the firm-specific expertise of outsourced IAF providers.FindingsThe authors find that industry outsourced IAF providers are not associated with shorter audit report lag and lower audit fees. The authors also find that firm-specific expertise outsourced IAF providers are associated with a greater reduction in audit report lag and audit fees. These conclusions are robust under a battery of analyses. The significant contribution of firm-specific expertise outsourced IAF providers to audit efficiency is incremental when abnormal audit report lag and audit fees analysis is conducted.Originality/valueThe results are the first to attest to the contribution of outsourced IAF with firm-specific expertise. They also show that industry expertise held by outsourced IAF providers does not contribute to audit efficiency.

Global Outsourcing and Local Tendering Supply Chain Systems in the Public Healthcare Sector: A Cost Comparison Analysis, Namibia

ObjectivesTo compare supplier prices for local tendering and global outsourcing supply chain systems that are used to purchase pharmaceutical products by the Ministry of Health in Namibia and to compare the supplier prices for both systems to the international reference buyer median prices. MethodsThis study was quantitative in design and compared local and international supplier prices for a basket of vaccines, antiretrovirals, and anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs from 2015 to 2020. Prices were retrieved from the procurement documents obtained from the Central Medical Stores division of the Ministry of Health, Namibia. The study also compared local and international supplier prices with the international reference buyer median prices obtained from the Management Sciences for Health International Drug Price Indicator Guide (2015 edition). ResultsIt was found that 77% of all the pharmaceutical products in the study were more expensive when obtained from the local suppliers than from international suppliers—that is, vaccines (70%), antiretrovirals (86.6%), and anti-TB drugs (67%). More than 50% of all the pharmaceutical products had local and international supplier prices, which were higher than the international reference buyer median prices. The price differentials were found to be higher for pharmaceutical products that were newly introduced into TB and human immunodeficiency virus treatment guidelines. ConclusionsThe study has concluded that local suppliers were costlier than international suppliers for vaccines, antiretrovirals, and anti-TB drugs. The international price comparisons have shown that there is a need for improving the pricing mechanisms in Namibia to reduce the prices of several essential medicines.

Implementation of an intelligent supply chain control tower: a socio-technical systems case study

Despite the proliferation of Industry 4.0 technologies, there is little guidance concerning how companies can integrate them in their supply chains. This study examines the implementation of a supply chain (SC) control tower (SCCT) by a large manufacturing company aiming to create an intelligent supply chain. This study applies Socio-Technical systems (STS) theory using the technology typology (long-linked, mediating, intensive) in the context of industry 4.0. The company followed a three-phase implementation plan (I: Initiation, II: Live, III: Continuous improvement) to transit from outsourcing supply chain control to developing the SCCT control structure and then creating intelligent SC assets and capabilities. The study shows that the SCCT needs to integrate all three technology types to reflect the intelligent supply chain. Further, it shows that the interactions of technologies with the SCCT team, internal and external supply chain stakeholders are critical in managing the development, implementation, and growth of intelligent supply chains. It identifies transition barriers including system misalignment, poor socio-technical integration, and an invert of trust between internal and external supply chain stakeholders. The intelligent supply chain emerges as a result of managing socio-technical interactions systematically.

Estimation of Freight Distribution Concept Selection using Decision Making trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) Method

Goods or cargo transported by ship, rail, truck or air. 2: Transport of goods from one place to another is sent by order consignment. 3: Amount paid for carriage of goods. 4: Freight train. Supply is where a product or service is needed make it available to a consumer or business user is the process. It is directly from the producer or service May be done by the provider or distributors or Indirect channels can be used with intermediaries. Alternative: Make the decision to outsource or buy, Defining Outsourcing Priorities of Public Enterprises, Outsourcing provider selection problem, Outsourcing reverse logistics by high-tech manufacturers , Motives for outsourcing logistics activities Evaluation Preference: Make the decision to outsource or buy, Defining Outsourcing Priorities of Public Enterprises, Outsourcing provider selection problem, Outsourcing reverse logistics by high-tech manufacturers , Motives for outsourcing logistics activities. From the result it is seen that Make the decision to outsource or buy and is got the first rank whereas is the Outsourcing provider selection problem got is having the lowest rank. The value of the dataset for Freight Distribution Concept Selection in DEMATEL shows that it results in Make the decision to outsource or buy and top ranking.

3D printing: Making an innovative technology widely accessible through makerspaces and outsourced services

This paper looks into the emerging trends of makerspaces and outsourced 3D printing services, and examines the natural progression between them. Also, by presenting survey empirical data, it investigates the reasons why individual users and enterprises have started to choose such services and the benefits acquired from this choice, that lead to the promotion of creativity, innovation, and competition. Fundamental working principles both for makerspaces and outsourced 3D printing services are being analyzed. Through the conduction of a survey among two different makerspaces’ users, authors attempt to further clarify the factors that motivate users to choose to participate in makerspaces or use the services offered by an outsourced 3D printing provider. 3D printing technologies have been recognized as being the new industrial revolution. However, because of the nature of the additive manufacturing process, a high level of expertise is required in order to accomplish an acceptable result. The recent proliferation of makerspaces as well as outsourced 3D printing services offers alternative solutions towards overcoming the aforementioned challenges. Makerspaces are currently growing rapidly, aiming to help local communities to get accustomed with emerging manufacturing technologies such as 3D printing, especially in modern STEM educational practices. On the other hand, outsourcing has emerged as one of the top business practices of our time due to its numerous benefits for the companies involved. The paper makes a comparison between makerspaces and outsourced services and presents relevant original survey data from users.

Outsourcing services in a challenging time

The buy-side industry has for many years been looking into outsourcing operational processes to focus more on creating Alpha and value adding to the business. Regulatory requirements increased the aftermath of the financial crisis in 2008, where especially the introduction of Dodd-Frank in the United States and European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR) in Europe has changed the role of the operations department. Reporting, monitoring, confirmations, reconciliation, digitalisation in the trading space and collateral management were all part of the new transparency and risk mitigating regime, putting pressure on all players in the financial industry, but the regulation has also catered for innovation, new market players and new services, and we have also seen a shift in the staffing in the back- and middle-office area. You need business analysts who knows more than just how to match a trade, execute payments and do classic reconciliation, and you need an outsourcing provider who is treating the relationship as a true partnership — and what has become even more obvious in 2020 is that you need to have a partner who knows how to (re-) act in a time of stressed market conditions and have prudent business contingency plan (BCP) in place.

A novel integrated intuitionistic fuzzy decision aid for agile outsourcing provider selection: a COVID-19 pandemic-based scenario analysis.

In project management, agility concept has emerged for overcoming the limitations of traditional methodologies that are sequential and linear. An agile project contains planned processes as well as iterations. In global competitive areas, achieving agility in outsourcing processes enables the companies to cope with changes and dynamic issues. This paper introduces an integrated cognitive map-based intuitionistic fuzzy multiple criteria decision aid to rank agile outsourcing provider alternatives and then determine the best performing one. Intuitionistic fuzzy sets are employed for dealing with uncertain and vague data along with the loss of information that may be occurred in numerical operations with fuzzy numbers. Intuitionistic fuzzy cognitive map tool is used to weight the evaluation criteria that are interrelated with each other with causal links. The most appropriate agile outsourcing provider alternative is identified via intuitionistic fuzzy complex proportional assessment technique, which aims to obtain a solution relative to the ideal solution. In order to demonstrate the robustness of the proposed intuitionistic fuzzy decision aid, a case study is conducted in Turkish white goods industry. As a comparative study, a scenario analysis is provided to understand the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on agile provider evaluation/selection decision. According to the results obtained from the scenario analysis, it is worth noting that home office procedures are appropriate for maintaining agility in outsourcing processes of project management.

The Challenges of Sustainable Development on Facilities Management Outsourcing Services: An Investigation in Educational Facilities

(1) Background: Generally, firms are reluctant to report outsourcing failures, no matter what industry they operate within. To eliminate poor performance of outsourced service providers, it is necessary to establish a specific outsourcing relationship model for facilities management (FM). The purpose of this paper is to study the concept of outsourcing relationships in relation to FM and to investigate the design of the critical success factors on sustainable outsourcing strategies through a discussion of four dimensions (ownership of FM assets, control of FM assets, competitive position and long-term plan). (2) Methods: Based on two questionnaire surveys, data were collected from 38 clients and 34 service providers. The study evaluated the FM outsourcing strategies from critical success factors in educational facilities in Hong Kong. (3) Results: This study explains the impact of FM outsourcing strategies on Hong Kong’s four commonly outsourced FM contracts including building maintenance, security, cleaning and catering from the clients’ and service providers’ point of view. (4) Conclusions: This is the outsourcing way forward in order to create a better working environment conducive for all the parties that would result in better sustainability of FM’s future and thus impact the economic objectives of sustainable development, in parallel with adding social and environmental value.

Contract cheating: To legislate or not to legislate - is that the question?

Increasing pressure is being placed on governments and legislators in different countries to take action against assignment outsourcing in higher education. Global discussions focus on prohibiting commercial outsourcing providers, such as contract cheating services. Despite evidence to suggest that outsourcing behaviours by students are increasing, and the number/reach of companies is increasing, little research has been undertaken to explore whether legislation will deter or prevent students from engaging in these dishonest behaviours. We investigated the issue of legality with higher education students, asking about their peers and their own assignment outsourcing behaviours, whether they believed such companies were already illegal, or whether they thought they should be illegal. Using quantitative analysis, responses from 7126 international participants were considered. We found that some students outsourced their assignments whether they thought it was illegal or not. Further, the majority of respondents argued that students should be impacted by any legislation, as well as the companies that provide outsourced work. The study presents evidence which should be considered in determining whether any law may have an effect to reduce assignment outsourcing behaviours in higher education students.

A novel hesitant-fuzzy-based group decision approach for outsourcing risk

Outsourcing is recognized as a strategic instrument for companies to move towards diversified operation advantages and efficient global market. However, outsourcing agreements may fail due to insufficient risk consideration and evaluation. This requires an effective risk evaluation approach that necessitates an entire comprehension of the system, its requirements and dimensions. This paper proposes a novel fuzzy group multiple-criteria decision-making approach through integrating triangular fuzzy hesitant sets (TFHS), Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) and combined compromise solution (CoCoSo) algorithm. This approach (F-FMEA-CoCoSo, henceforth) analyzes and evaluates the possible risks level of alternative outsourcing providers. It hereby provides measurable information for managers according to the linguistic opinions of industrial experts. Utilization of hesitant fuzzy variables allows decision making participants to state their opinion more precisely. A case study of an Iranian chemical company is used to exemplify the applicability and suitability of the proposed F-FMEA-CoCoSo approach. The model reflects an analytical approach while experts are experiencing considerable uncertainty in risky conditions of outsourcing operations. CoCoSo contains an integrated approach of compromise solutions and its utilization enables investigators to assure results reliability which is proven via the sensitivity analysis. Through this study, we found that risk evaluation of outsourcing providers must consider four key-factors: multi-experts, multi-criteria, multi-uncertainties and measurability.

PESANTREN BUSINESS ENTITY DEVELOPMENT AS AN EDUCATION BASIS FOR THE AUTONOMY OF SANTRI, PESANTREN, AND THE COMMUNITY: A CASE STUDY AT PESANTREN SIDOGIRI PASURUAN

This article discusses the Business Entity condition of Pondok Pesantren Sidogiri, the involvement of santri and communities in Pondok Pesantren Sidogiri's Business Entity, and the contribution of Business Entities towards Pondok Pesantren Sidogiri, santri and their communities. This article was prepared using a qualitative case study type method. This article concludes that Pondok Pesantren Sidogiri have a Business Entity. Business entities owned by Pondok Pesantren Sidogiri has established three Perseroan Terbatas stands for PT (Limited Company). PT. Sidogiri Mitra Utama serves the needs of santri, PT. Sidogiri Mandiri Utama, engaged in bottled drinking water and PT. Sidogiri Pandu Utama, engaged in the Outsourcing Provider and Training Center. The involvement of santri and the community around these two Pondok Pesantren in managing the Business Entity is quite active. This active participation implies that these very diverse Business Entities are all oriented towards improving welfare. So that the existence of Business Entity's Pondok Pesantren positively contributes to the independence of santri, Pondok Pesantren, and the community.