Business Research: Outsourcing And Insourcing

Reflection report

Evaluate the effectiveness and your usefulness of the learning experience

This research has gained my understanding regarding advantages and disadvantages of using outsourcing the business function. This learning is valuable for me to understand that outsourcing is a process by which business function of organization can be transferred to the outsider as compared to completing it on their own business function. This research is effective for me to develop the understanding of the concept of outsourcing. In this way, it is analyzed that outsourcing is a technique which is used to make the use of core competencies of the corporation. It also aids to allocate the resource effectively (Schniederjans, et. al., 2015). I have also observed that outsourcing of the business function delivers the added value to the business performance.

Explain how this learning process will be useful to you

I will apply my knowledge and insight to make further research in the future. I have gained my knowledge that outsourcing is mainly used in HR, IT, after sales service and customer service field. I have also observed that outsourcing is beneficial to cost-savings, flexibility, and performance of the companies. This learning process is useful for me to improve my research skills as well as effective for me to become a good business development manager.

I have also built my knowledge regarding disadvantages of using outsourcing the business function. In this way, I have pointed that the rapid expansion of globalization has changed the method of business management. It is analyzed that there is a certain factor which encourages outsourcing of business function like infrastructure, set of skills, globalization, availability of cheap labor, and support from the government (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016). 

Describe objectively what happened in the learning process

I did different activities such as I have participated to find the advantages of using outsourcing the business function. In this way, I have pointed that there are different benefits of outsourcing like fostering innovation, speed enhancement, capital savings, risk management, revenue growth, quality improvement and cost reduction. I read about the disadvantages of using outsourcing the business function. These are a loss of management control, poor communication, lower productivity, loss of secrecy and privacy of information, lack of competitive advantages, and financial losses (Rushton, et. al., 2014). This research is beneficial for me to enhance my personal and professional career.

Evaluate what you learn

The business research was helpful for gaining learning in research. From this research, I have learned that companies should develop clear communication by using different channels. Further, I have pointed that role clarity is also maintained between parties. This research is also helping to understand the literature review. In this way, it can be evaluated that outsourcing of business function is mostly exercised in the financial sector (Willcocks, and Cullen, 2013). From this research, I have learned that outsourcing of business function is used to make the development of a cost-saving program for the corporation.

Explain your learning process

I did different activities in assignment 1 and assignment 2. These activities are the development of research question and hypothesis, and research design and methodology. I have learned that both primary and secondary question has developed to meet the research objectives. Along with this, it can be analyzed that hypothesis is used to assess the relationship between two variables named independent and dependent variable (Caruth, et. al., 2013). I have used research design which aids to develop the strategies for the research in an appropriate manner. It will aid to me for assessing the expected result of the research program.

I have gained understanding regarding qualitative research. In this way, it can be evaluated that observation method is used to select the participant for accomplishing the research objectives. Along with this, I have increased my knowledge about in-depth interview approach. In this way, it can be evaluated that interview with top executives of the company is effective to assess the outsourcing of business function (Hill, et. al., 2014). Moreover, I have built my knowledge about the questionnaire. In this way, it can be stated that open-ended questionnaire structure is used to assess the reliable and valid outcome. As a result, I am competent to use the questionnaire in further research. I have increased my learning experience regarding ethical consideration. In this way, it is analyzed that ethical policies are used to conduct a good strategy as I can use ethical consideration to make further research (Runar Edvardsson, and Durst, 2014).

Explain Plan how this learning you will apply

This learning may be applied in future. Since, it has developed my understanding regarding quantitative research. Further, I have pointed that sampling technique is exercised to perform the descriptive statistical approach. It is analyzed that research design aids to create the strategies for a research study and to conduct the research in the appropriate direction (Sivakumar, et. al., 2015). This learning experience is beneficial for me to obtain a targeted result for a research study. Through this research, I have also gained my learning about a statistical approach which is beneficial to comprehend the quantitative data. Consequently, it will enable me to use statistical data analysis in further research in the field of business development. I have also developed an understanding regarding research limitation. In this way, it is evaluated that lack of data collection, effective communication and timing can create complexity to get reliable and valid information (Runar Edvardsson, and Durst, 2014). From this research, I have developed my knowledge about the time schedule. In this way, it can be evaluated that time schedule is beneficial to perform the activities in a specified time period. Consequently, this will be used by me to make effective research strategy in an organization. Along with this, this strategy could be beneficial to enhance my personal as well as professional career.

References

Caruth, D. L., Haden, S. S. P., and Caruth, G. D. (2013) ‘Critical factors in human resource outsourcing’, Journal of Management Research, 13(3), P. 1.

Hill, C. W., Jones, G. R., and Schilling, M. A. (2014) Strategic management: theory: an integrated approach. USA: Cengage Learning.

Runar Edvardsson, I., and Durst, S. (2014) ‘Outsourcing of knowledge processes: a literature review’, Journal of Knowledge Management, 18(4), pp. 795-811.

Rushton, A., Croucher, P., and Baker, P. (2014) The handbook of logistics and distribution management: Understanding the supply chain. USA: Kogan Page Publishers.

Schniederjans, M. J., Schniederjans, A. M., and Schniederjans, D. G. (2015) Outsourcing and insourcing in an international context. UK: Routledge.

Sekaran, U., and Bougie, R. (2016) Research methods for business: A skill building approach. USA: John Wiley and Sons.

Sivakumar, R., Kannan, D., and Murugesan, P. (2015) ‘Green vendor evaluation and selection using AHP and Taguchi loss functions in production outsourcing in mining industry’, Resources Policy, 46, pp. 64-75.

Willcocks, L., and Cullen, S. (2013) Intelligent IT outsourcing. UK: Routledge.