Global IT Outsourcing - Software Development Across Borders

Sundeep Sahay , University of Oslo, Norway,

Brian Nicholson , University of Manchester, UK

and S. Krishna , Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, India

Published By The Press Syndicate Of The University Of Cambridge
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Cambridge University Press
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Cambridge University Press 2003

This book is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press.

First published 2003

Printed in the United Kingdom at the University Press, Cambridge

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloguing in Publication data

Sahay, Sundeep.
Global IT outsourcing : software development across borders / Sundeep Sahay, Brian Nicholson, S. Krishna.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-521-81604-1
1. Computer software industry “Subcontracting. 2. Computer software “Development “Management.
3. Information technology “Management. 4. Strategic alliances (Business) 5. Globalization “Economic
aspects. I. Title: Global information technology outsourcing : software development across borders.
II. Nicholson, Brian, 1967 “ III. Krishna, S. IV. Title.
HD9696.63.A2S24 2003
005 .068 7 “dc21
2003040949

ISBN 0 521 81604 1 hardback

This book offers key insights into how to manage software development across international boundaries. It is based on a series of case studies looking at the relationships between firms from North America, the UK, Japan and Korea and Indian software houses . In these case studies, which have typically been compiled over a 3 “4-year timespan, the authors analyse the multi- faceted challenges encountered in managing these Global Software Alliances (GSAs). These challenges range from the conflicts that managers face when dealing with distance to the tensions of transferring knowledge across time and space, to issues in trying to establish universal standards in a context of constant change and the problems of identity that developers and clients experience in having to deal with different organizations and countries . Throughout the book, the authors draw on their extensive research and experience to offer constructive advice on how to manage GSAs more effectively.

Sundeep Sahay is a Professor in Informatics at the University of Oslo, Norway. After completing his doctoral studies at Florida International University, he has held research and teaching positions at the Universities of Cambridge and Salford in the UK, and at the University of Alberta in Canada.

Brian Nicholson is a lecturer in information systems at the University of Manchester, UK. Aftercompleting doctoral studies at the University of Salford, UK, his research interests have focused on the complexities of software development and software outsourcing between UK and Indian companies.

S. Krishna is a professor at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. His research interests concern global software work (GSW) arrangements. He holds a PhD in software engineering and chairs IIM s software enterprise management programme, focusing on research and management education in partnership with local software industry.