Learning Process in Asymmetric IT Offshore Outsourcing Relationship:A Combinative Perspectives of Resource Dependence and Alliance Evolution Theory

摘要

This paper puts forth a conceptual model of vendor's learning in asymmetric IT offshore outsourcing from the combinative perspectives of resource dependence and strategic alliance evolution theory. Based on a multiple case study, we explore the conditions for the vendor's skill acquisition and collaboration knowledge learning as well as the effects on offshoring relationship evolution. The asymmetric relationship highlights the instability of offshoring cooperation. As the bargaining power shifts, the vendor's commitment into a particular offshoring relationship may be affected by the assessment of the client's trustworthiness, fairness and embeddedness bring about by collaboration knowledge learning.