Best Practices for International eSourcing of Software Products and Services from the Service Providers' Perspective

This research analyzes how eSourcing service providers can execute the Information and Communications Technology-enabled international sourcing of software-intensive systems and services (eSourcing) effectively. The extant literature falls short of providing a detailed enough set of best practices and supporting classes of information systems to help providers to manage and deliver effective services. This research presents a set of best practices for international eSourcing service providers to facilitate the execution, improvement, and management of international eSourcing services. The practices help providers to establish and execute a mature eSourcing life-cycle in order to overcome th…

An Information Systems Design Product Theory for Integrated Requirements, Test and Defect Management Systems

Software companies need to develop high-quality products fast and with low cost. Development activities are typically distributed in different places and involve multiple stakeholders in different countries. Testing is an important way to ensure product quality but it is costly and takes ample time and resources. Sourcing testing services from specialized service providers is often the most viable option for software businesses. Flexible and effective test process management is especially vital to support the testing life-cycle when external testing service providers are involved. Yet, the extant literature provides little theoretical guidance for managing the testing life-cycle, including …

A dynamic life-cycle model for the provisioning of software testing services

Information and communications technology (ICT)-enabled international sourcing of software-intensive systems and services (eSourcing) is a powerful strategy for managing businesses more effectively. China is becoming a superpower for eSourcing service provisioning, but most Chinese providers are small- or medium-sized and leverage the mediated eSourcing model, delivering services to foreign ICT clients who interface with end-clients onshore. This model restricts the providers to low-value projects. This paper probes eSourcing of software testing services within the Chinese market because testing is one of the best ICT services small- and medium-sized providers can provide to develop domain …

An Information System Design Product Theory for Integrated Order, Transportation and Warehouse Management Systems

Globalization, lead time reduction and cost pressures, and other factors make it nontrivial for most companies to devise and manage effective logistics services to meet client requirements. They are better off using the services of specialized third party logistics service providers. These providers compete fiercely and need to develop and improve their services continuously to gain competitive advantage. Integrating the logistics process for improving communication and coordination is the most feasible way for third party logistics providers to deal with these pressures. Yet, the extant literature provides little theoretical guidance for integrating the logistics life-cycle, including orde…

A Dynamic Life-cycle Model for the Provisioning of Software Testing Services: Experiences from A Case Study in the Chinese ICT Sourcing Market

ICT-enabled international sourcing of software-intensive systems and services (eSourcing) is a powerful strategy for managing businesses more effectively. China is becoming a superpower for eSourcing service provisioning, but most Chinese providers are small or medium-sized and leverage the mediated eSourcing model, delivering services to foreign ICT clients that interface with end-clients onshore. This model restricts the providers to low-value projects. This paper probes eSourcing of software testing services within the Chinese market. Testing is studied for two reasons. First, testing is one of the best ICT services, small- and medium-sized providers can provide to develop domain and tec…

An information system design product theory for the class of eSourcing requirements, delivery and completion management systems for eSourcing service providers

An Information system design product theory for the abstract class of integrated requirements and delivery management systems

Information and Communications Technology-enabled international sourcing of software-intensive systems and services (eSourcing) is increasingly used as a means of adding value, reducing costs, sharing risks, and achieving strategic aims. To maximally reap the benefits from eSourcing and to mitigate the risks, providers and clients have to be aware of and build capabilities for the eSourcing life-cycle. China is in a position to become a superpower for eSourcing service provisioning, but most Chinese eSourcing service providers are small or medium-sized and typically work for larger intermediaries instead of end-clients, limiting their business and capabilities development. The extant litera…

Which Test Artifacts Testing Service Providers should Reuse and How? Experiences from a Case Study in the Chinese ICT Sourcing Market

Software testing service providers are facing new requirements to shorten service times, lower costs, and increase service customization and quality. Reuse of test artifacts is a possible solution that can help providers to meet the requirements because reuse can improve software quality and productivity. However, the extant literature does not explain in depth which test artifacts should be reused and how. This paper focuses on ICT-enabled sourcing of software testing services in the Chinese market to identify the most important reusable test artifacts. There are two reasons for this research. First, most Chinese service providers are small or medium-sized and have to overcome obstacles su…