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This short article focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing. It also shares the most commonly outsourced businesses.

The growth of hyperspecialization and new markets such as TopCoder, through which individuals can 'sell' their specialized talents, allow individuals to compete in an increasing "flat" world. Outsourcing if often thought of only in terms of wealthy developed world companies seeking cheaper labour from developing countries, however this article highlights that some outsourcing is done to increase the quality of work, not simply to decrease cost. In an increasing connected world, individuals can 'outsource' the parts of their job that they do not excel in, to other individuals who are specialized in it.

Outsourcing brings in a lot of flexibility and financial freedom but it also has its pitfalls. Any company looking to outsource must keep in mind the pros and cons of outsourcing before deciding to take the plunge. Take a look at this list of advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing.

Outsourcing as a form of exploitation - this article comments on the environment and working conditions in Apple's outsourced manufacturing facilities and that despite media coverage of this issue, the general pubic is more concerned with speed, innovation and price than the treatment of workers overseas.

This article is interesting because we are used to major companies outsourcing their positions across the world, but here a service paid for by Canadian taxes is being outsourced elsewhere, taking jobs away from Canadian taxpayers. This introduces an interesting ethical issue, as many believe it is wrong for a company paid for exclusively by Calgarians is outsourcing jobs to other areas of the world.

In the Shift, Gratton mentions globalization and the increased shift of jobs overseas. This link (it's actually an audio podcast) speaks to what Gratton states is the increase of jobs to Asia and India and information on this practice. It is interesting that they note that outsourcing does not have to simply be done overseas - a firm can outsource anything if it gives it to another firm - and it also speaks to how offshoring jobs isn't always the best option and can even end up costing the business more money. It also provides an outline of the benefits of sending jobs overseas, but also the benefits of keeping certain parts of the business in country and why large businesses may actually refute what Gratton is proposing .

This is an article written by the CBC (April 2013) reporting the common practice of outsourcing jobs to foreign workers by Canadian banks. It points the finger particularly at RBC and its close relationship to iGate, a foreign IT company, which receives 11% of its revenue from RBC. Canadian Bank outsourcing is kept very private, therefore it is difficult to identify how many Canadian jobs have actually been lost. In 2012, at least 45 Canadian jobs at RBC were lost, and at CIBC, at least 41. This has resulted in fewer full-time positions and the banks have offered very little support for lay-offs.

Written by Patrick Dixon Futurist Keynote Speaker: Posts, Slides, Videos - Future Emerging Markets, BRICS, Strategy Keynotes Growth of India and China, emerging markets threat and opportunities The truth about the speed, scale and unstoppable momentum of business process outsourcing and offshoring. What will be the net impact of outsourcing on American and European economies? What I found interesting was that the speaker/writer points out that the cost savings of outsourcing diminish constantly due to salary inflation, and companies will have to continue to look for cheaper labour (eg Pakistan). My question is what happens to the people and infrastructure created in one country when a company decides to move operation to another cheaper country? Will they be worse-off or better?

Interesting article written in April 2013, when RBC was outsourcing jobs and there was much hype in the media about it.  The author makes some interesting points which I have highlighted for you to read.  Firstly, commenting on the fact that Indian workers are actually as well qualified or more qualified than Canadian workers to get the job done.  Friedman mentions this in his book when talking about his visits to Bangalore.  She notes that when businesses boost profit this is good for the economy because it means they will invest it. However, it was noted by Stanford in Economics for Everyone, that this is not always the case, and the amount of profit being spent on luxury goods rather than investment is currently increasing.  Interesting note the author makes about us vs them.  She mentions that if the jobs had been moving somewhere else in Canada, would the reaction have been just as passionate?  It is important to ensure that we are looking at cultural and racial issues here and taking these into account.   Lastly, she comments that on how we have to allow "the natural forces of capitalism to work".  Stanford also mentions how economists will often refer to capitalism as "natural" and that this is not true.  It is one economic system (which has been created by man) which we currently use, but it is not the only one that can exist, and it certainly did not exist before man did.  It is not natural like the seasons.  

This short article is interesting in that it argues that despite being a job that can't be outsourced, the construction industry gets neglected and has a reputation for being a dirty job. It also points out the positives and possibilities within. It made me think how this industry could be a smart one to get into and will probably go through some changes in the coming years as it evolves due to the fact of more/different people getting into it because for the most part, it can't be outsourced (eg. hopefully women and not the typical "macho" type).

An article reviewing the economic effects of outsourcing, measuring both goods and services, since 1963. It also discusses the impact on wages and the employment rate. I chose this article for this week based on the list of "Flatteners" Freidman described, both because they were included in his list and because it seems to me to be an important feature of globalization--that in the ruthless competition of capitalism, there will always be a value in inequality to create the cheapest sources of labour. This is something mentioned very early in the chapter (as related to the moderate poverty of the Soviet system) but I believe it's also important to think about when picturing a world that is increasingly connected and a playing field that seems equally leveled.

This is an interesting YouTube video of a talk Michael Sandel gave on the idea of outsourcing surrogacy to India and whether this is or is not exploitation - audience members also shared their thoughts.

TORONTO - Sears Canada is laying off 245 workers, the lion's share in its information technology department, with plans to replace them by partnering with companies that outsource to India and the Philippines, a senior spokesperson confirmed Tuesday.

I thought this article would be really interesting to post because I don't know about everyone else, but I have heard a lot of times over the past few years that Sears is facing financial issues. It can be seen then that Sears is trying to remedy their issue by cutting costs by outsourcing the IT positions to those in other countries such as India and the Philippines.

Interesting article from CBC outlining the draw to outsourcing to lower costs for businesses and increase efficiency, yet the downside of loss of jobs.

This article takes a very positive stance on Canada's current offshoring climate. Currently 50% of Canadian companies surveyed are outsourcing at least 10% of their work, creating an industry worth between $2.5 and $3 billion in Canada. But, according to the article, Canadian companies are offshoring not only because of cost efficiency and good productivity, but out of necessity. Apparently there are just not enough Canadians willing or able to fill all of the jobs that IT companies are offering. I have a hard time believing what this article says is true, since it is coming from the vice President of i-Gate Canada himself (one of the most successful outsourcing companies in Canada). I would like to see more research to support his words.

I found this article interesting because it outlines how even our most basic needs, growing food, can be outsourced to other countries. It also explores how outsourcing can be a type of neocolonialism, with rich countries exploiting poorer ones for their resources.

The Centre for Research on Globalization (CRG) is a non-profit, independent research and media organization based in Montreal. In addition to the Global Research websites, the Centre is involved in book publishing, support to humanitarian projects as well as educational outreach activities including the organization of public conferences and lectures. The Centre also acts as a think tank on crucial economic and geopolitical issues. The Global Research website at www.globalresearch.ca publishes news articles, commentary, background research and analysis on a broad range of issues, focusing on social, economic, strategic and environmental issues.They have established an extensive archive of news articles, in-depth reports and analysis on issues which are barely covered by the mainstream media. There are quite a few articles on economic trends arising from globalization, such as outsourcing.