Investor Glossary-outsourcingInsightful stock market charts - Click here

 # A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z     
Term of the Day Email this Definition Link to this Definition

Outsourcing


Outsourcing is the practice of companies transferring work to outside sources to increase efficiency and cut costs. Outsourcing differs from simply buying products and services from a supplier. Rather than dealing at arms-length, outsourcing usually entails substantial coordination, if not outright management, of the external vendor's activities. In the early 21st century, outsourcing had one other, strongly negative, connotation: the displacement of U.S. staff by foreign workers. For example, a stereotypical example of outsourcing might be the use of a call center in India for making airline reservations for a U.S. carrier. Those opposing outsourcing argue that it destroys American jobs and erodes the power of labor unions. Proponents of outsourcing say, however, that outsourcing increases productivity and profits; while causing some short-term displacement, outsourcing ultimately enhances economic opportunity for all workers. Outsourcing is sometimes used loosely as a synonym for globalization, but outsourcing is a narrower term: unlike globalization, outsourcing does not comprehend all types of economic interdependence between countries.

Rate this outsourcing definition...

               


Where is the market headed? The answer may surprise you. Find out
right now with the exclusive & Barron's recommended charts of Chart of the Day.


Popular Terms: EBITDA, liquidity ratio, 401a, deferred tax, command economy, 144a, per diem, margin rate, deferred revenue, required rate of return, cancelled check, open position, stock split, ex-dividend, implied volatility, in escrow, irrevocable trust, limit order, quality assurance, risk management, 1035 exchange, Key Rate Duration, class C shares, current ratio, Zero Cost Collar, 1031 exchange, wholly-owned subsidiary, VIX, reverse mortgage, retained earnings, phantom income, option premium, minority interest, labor relations, ex-dividend date, covered put, real GDP, LIBOR, inflation, dividends payable, diluted share, debt service coverage, balance sheet, APR, equities, average price per share, FICO score, FTSE, stock market close


Home | Term of the Day | Tell a Friend | Suggest a Term | Edit Subscriber Detail
Accounting | Banking | Bonds | Brokers | Economy | Futures | Mutual Funds | Options | Real Estate | Retirement | Stocks | Taxes | Technical Analysis
©2004-2009 Investor Glossary - All rights reserved - Terms of Use