The Contracting Organization: A Strategic Guide to Outsourcing (Paperback)

by Simon Domberger (Author) "Why did Microsoft Corporation decide to contract out the customer support function for its Windows 95 software?..." (more)
Key Phrases: prison management services, incoming contractor, contracting trends, New Zealand, Industry Commission, New South Wales (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
`Domberger's systematic analysis of contracting is a very welcome contribution to students of public administration and management, as well as to policy makers and public sector managers straying to the jungle of New Public Management texts.' Anita Niemi-Iilahti, New Institutionalism and Organizational Theory, 2000.

`an interesting list of questions concerning important elements of the contracting strategies. The questions increase the value of the book as course literature. Another valuable contribution in this sense is the thematic guides to further reading for students or organizational change and reform.' Anita Niemi-Iilahti, New Institutionalism and Organizational Theory, 2000.

`Domberger's book provides a structured, systematic approach to contracting decisions and outsourcing strategies.' Anita Niemi-Iilahti, New Institutionalism and Organizational Theory, 2000.

"...Simon Domberger, an international authority on contracting out (outsourcing) has written THE book on this subject. ...In Short, This book should be found in the library of every firm and public organization that is already contracting out and wishes to improve its operations. Furthermore, it is a "Must Read" for decision-makers who are contemplating contracting out for the first time." Jonas Prager, New York University. Amazon review, January 12, 2000.

"...well presented analytical decision-making framework for assessing the contracting options which are relevant to both private and public sectors" Long Range Planning, October 1999, Vol 32

Product Description
Based on over a decade of research and consulting experience by Simon Domberger, Contracting Organization's conclusions have many practical implications. The book develops an analytical decision-making framework for the assessment of contracting options, and has relevance in both the private and public sectors. It will be valuable to all those seeking a better understanding of the outsourcing phenomenon.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; illustrated edition edition (February 18, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198774575
• ISBN-13: 978-0198774570
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,466,544 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Contracting Out: An Expert Writes an Outstanding Book, January 12, 2000

By	Jonas Prager (New York University, New York City, NY) - See all my reviews

Professor Simon Domberger, an international authority on contracting out (outsourcing) has written THE book on this subject. Domberger has advised many governments and private companies on outsourcing; his wealth of experience is reflected in this 200+ page volume. In it, he carefully analyzes the costs and benefits of contracting out, using a wealth of examples and case studies to drive home his points. Further, Domberger places contracting out in its broader context -- as one of the strategies businesses and public organizations can use to improve, respectively, their bottom line or their delivery of public services. He squarely faces such issues as resistance to contracting out within the outsourcing organizations and suggests practical ways of coping with such hurdles.

In short, this book should be found in the library of every firm and public organization that is already contracting out and wishes to improve its operations. Furthermore, it is a "Must Read" for decision-makers who are contemplating contracting out for the first time.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good overview for non-economists, November 16, 2004

By	Amrit Tiwana "www.bus.iastate.edu/tiwana" (Decatur, Georgia, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While the book begins with the usual benefits of outsourcing and how the world is becoming globalized yada yada, two chapters are well worth the used copy price. They offer a nice review of research in economics research journals such as American Economic Review. The first is Chapter 5 on "Specialization", which discusses the economic side of specialization by outsourcing. It makes a compelling argument for both how outsourcing facilitates deeper specialization and the risks that are inherent in treading this path. The second worthy chapter is Chapter 7 on "Control and Flexiblity." This chapter reviews how outsourced activities ought to be controlled, how contracts ought to be structured, and the residual rights that often cause problems. A note of caution for non-academic readers: This is a research-focused book and not (in my opinion) intended for a general audience. The tone is very academic, so don't expect to see a Harvard Business Review style light reading here! The writing style is more like Management Science than American Economic Review. Browse at your local Borders before you buy. There are some insightful nuggets in this nice and concisely-written book. Recommended.

1 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Outsourcing in Venezuela, April 22, 2000

By	jairo ontiveros (Venezuela) - See all my reviews

From this book I learned a lot about Outsourcing