Socially responsible outsourcing: global sourcing with social impact B. Nicholson, R. Babin, and M. C. Lacity (eds) (2016), Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan. Pp 235, Priced: eBook £79.50, Hardcover £99.99, ISBN: 9781137557285

• Author: Zahid Hussain
• Date: 01 November 2019
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/ntwe.12137
• Published date: 01 November 2019

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New Technology, Work and Employment 34:3

ISSN 0268-1072

Review Article

Socially responsible outsourcing: global sourcing with social impact

B. Nicholson, R. Babin, and M. C. Lacity (eds) (2016), Basingstoke: Palgrave

MacMillan. Pp 235, Priced: eBook £79.50, Hardcover £99.99, ISBN: 9781137557285

Outsourcing has received increasing commercial, policy and academic interest

in recent years. This collection, which takes a different perspective to the stand-

ard commercial approach on this topic, compiles the research of prominent

scholars on socially responsible outsourcing (SRO). They not only highlight the

importance of SRO and its positive impacts, but also examine the changing

nature of work. The book focuses on how SRO has emerged out of mainstream

outsourcing as it aims to transform people’s lives, families and communities

through meaningful employment in the Information Technology Outsourcing

(ITO) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)—work mainly from performed

within the service sector. However, these claims are complex and contested, as

the nature of such work is often rather routine and rudimentary, posing ques-

tions concerning the level of skill development, remuneration and accumulation

of knowledge.

The editors provide an excellent strategic overview of how SRO is helping to

transform work and employment across nations. As work is conducted over com-

puter networks using technical infrastructure, workers do not have to move ge-

ographically but enter a space in which developed societies operate. For an

outsourcer, SRO provides: capital availability, cash ow, specialism and access to

expert skills. However, there are challenges around the viability and practicality

of such projects, as a high degree of continual co- ordination and cooperation

between a variety of stakeholders is required. This raises questions and concerns

over the long- term sustainability of mass scale responsible outsourcing. They also

discuss the invisible boundaries of organisations, which expand beyond their nat-

ural borders, where the geographical place is no longer paramount, as organisations

create new virtual spaces spanning place and time.

The editors of this book argue that SRO is a valuable alternative to conventional

prot- driven outsourcing and highlight different levels of impacts. Level 1 is re-

ferred to as the foundation where attention is only given to matters from an

economic point of view to benet shareholders. SRO involves providing an on-

going economic return to shareholders and other stakeholders, such as employees.

Level 2 comprises obeying the law on carrying out duties that are deemed right

in society. Level 3 involves being ethical and going beyond the social and legal

requirements and doing what society deems right and fair. Impact at level 4 is

referred to as a pinnacle that involves philanthropy, where a contributor dedicates

time and gives money to charities in the community. Thus, there is a different

level of involvement.

SRO takes into account the social and environmental aspects of those in dis-

advantaged parts of the world who could benet from such work. The authors

claim that this can have a positive impact by creating employment opportunities

for disadvantaged communities through the development of bre optic broadband.

However, the authors appear to ignore many practical issues, such as technical

infrastructure, political turbulence and many other practical issues, such as scarcity

of electricity leading to power- load- shutdowns.

New Technology, Work and Employment © 2019 Brian Towers (BRITOW) and

John Wiley & Sons Ltd.