Risks factors associated with offshore IT outsourcing

Purpose - To provide a framework for risk assessment of offshore IT outsourcing. Design/methodology/approach - Based on review of recent literature, this paper has identified major risk categories of offshore IT outsourcing, discussed various risk factors within each category, and provided a general framework for the study of risk factors in this area. Findings - Provides a general framework and a check-list of the major risk factors related to offshore IT outsourcing. Research limitations/implications - Suggests further research studies in three specific directions: case-based studies; country and region risk analysis; and strategic alliance. Practical implications - Provides a very helpful guideline for practitioners in assessing various risks involved in offshore IT outsourcing. Originality/value - The paper provides a synthesis and analysis of the viewpoints as reflected in the literature on various dimensions of the risks associated with offshore IT outsourcing.