Decision-Making Framework for Evaluating Outsourcing Strategies in Industrial Projects
Keywords:
Outsourcing Strategy, Industrial Projects, Decision-Making Framework, Organizational Readiness, Performance Management, Thematic Analysis, Stakeholder EngagementAbstract
The objective of this study was to develop a context-sensitive decision-making framework for evaluating outsourcing strategies in industrial projects, based on insights from industry professionals. This qualitative study employed a thematic approach to explore how outsourcing decisions are made within industrial project environments. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 21 professionals involved in project management, procurement, and strategic planning in Tehran-based industrial companies. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, and interviews continued until theoretical saturation was reached. The interview transcripts were analyzed using NVivo software through an inductive thematic analysis process to extract key themes and patterns. The analysis revealed four major thematic categories influencing outsourcing decisions: (1) Strategic Evaluation Criteria (e.g., cost-benefit analysis, risk assessment, competitive positioning), (2) Organizational Readiness and Internal Capabilities (e.g., technological infrastructure, process maturity, decision-making structures), (3) Stakeholder Involvement and Communication (e.g., intra-organizational coordination, relationship management, risk communication), and (4) Post-Outsourcing Performance Management (e.g., KPI tracking, SLAs, knowledge retention). Participants emphasized the importance of aligning outsourcing strategies with business goals, ensuring internal capacity for integration, and maintaining relational continuity through performance monitoring and feedback loops. The study provides an empirically grounded framework for evaluating outsourcing strategies in industrial projects, highlighting the necessity of a systemic and multidimensional approach. The results suggest that effective outsourcing decisions depend not only on economic and operational logic but also on organizational maturity, stakeholder alignment, and adaptive performance management. These insights offer both theoretical advancement and practical guidance for organizations seeking to implement outsourcing strategically within complex industrial settings.
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