Managing the client-contractor relationship: Increased bio/pharmaceutical outsourcing demands new management skills

摘要

Bio/pharmaceutical outsourcing is increasing in both volume and scope. Greater outsourcing requires greater oversight of projects, and this is creating managerial problems. Even before the current economic situation, bio manufacturers complained that "establishing a good working relationship" (1) was the most difficult and challenging aspect of outsourcing. Today's increasing cost pressures are also increasing demands on individuals and departments to produce more without sacrificing quality. This is aggravating the problem, and creating an environment where managers are being asked not only to manage their own staff more effectively, but to also manage their external outsourcing partners. Unfortunately, as many researchers have found, successful scientists do not always have the skills required to also be successful managers. As outsourcing expands, so must the skill sets of the industry's managers, on both sides of the equation-client as well as contractor.