Introduction This Internet article, Advantages & Disadvantages to Outsourcing IT, offers a quick summary on the pros and cons of outsourcing. Outsourcing allows vendors who specialize in their field to adequately plan and implement a particular subset of tasks. The outsourced vendors also have specific equipment and technical expertise, most of the times better than the ones at the outsourcing organization. (Williams, 2008). This article also discusses the utilization of outsourcing can lead to a decrease in financial overhead and operation costs. Services are contracted out, the need for office space, through rent or ownership, is greatly reduced or eliminated, as is the need for parking and travel. Outsourcing, also, eludes the need to hire individuals in-house; hence recruitment and operational costs can be minimized to a great extent. According to the article, the biggest concern is the inability/challenge of ensuring the most effective and efficient processes are employed to meet the organizations requirements. Operation can be hindered or difficult due to the geographical distance, time zone difference, and lack of face-to-face communication. Outsourcing lends to a lack of onsite expertise, this can be problematic as the organization grows. (Williams, 2008). While the issues abound, the largest issue is the risk and exposure an organization has when dealing with a third party, outsourcing risks poses a risk in breaching of confidentiality and other malicious use of system access. Overcoming these drawbacks will rely on identifying the right business processes for outsourcing, finding the best outsourcing provider.
Where Outsourcing and Ethics Meet
Implementing new technologies, upgrading infrastructure or any other myriad of projects can be a daunting task. To be effective, the process of developing and executing a new project will probably be a team effort, and in effect require input from across the company. Many organizations are increasingly reliant on technology to introduce better business practices, communicate and collaborate ideas and manage projects around the world around the globe and increase productivity and profits. With its benefits, comes its pit falls – failure to implement ethical controls, standards/policies can result in team de-motivation, unproductively and staggering out-of-pocket expenses. In this environment, ethics govern the control of the project or operations, avoid abuse and basic poor decision-making; organizations must strive to harmonize the personnel that accomplish the missions and objectives.
The Rules and Roles
In a virtual team environment, business ethics manifest both as written and unwritten codes of moral standards that are critical to the current activities and future aspirations of a business organization. They can differ from one company to another because of differences in cultural perspectives, operational structures and strategic orientations. The guiding framework of business ethics permeates all levels of the organization. It is about having the wisdom and a duty to determine the difference between right actions and wrong decisions – especially when the boss is not looking. Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) is one many philosophers that had a theory of deontological or duty-based ethics. (Williams, 2008)
Conclusion
As with any team, standards and conduct are governed and enforced by directives, operating procedures, and/or rules that clearly outline job responsibilities and performance expectations. Success or failure of a virtual team is often dictated by the guidance given and the team’s willingness to conduct business accordingly. Those providing oversight of these virtual teams must be cognizant of virtual team efforts and reward or discipline as necessary.
Through its very concept, it is assumed that the majority of communication amongst the team and managers will be via collaboration tools, like e-mail. Electronic communication, e-mail, text, video-teleconferences and other correspondence dictate the usage of etiquette. In the virtual environment, it is important to state things as clear and concise as possible, teams should avoid drafting correspondence in all capital letters, and unnecessary bolding and underlining. Professionalism through non-verbal communication is key to the team’s ultimate success.

Reference:

Meehan, C. (2011) Advantages & Disadvantages to Outsourcing IT. Retrieved on April 23, 2013 from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages-disadvantages-outsourcing-it-764.html

Williams, W. (2008). Kantian ethics: What Immanuel Kant was talking about. Retrieved April 23, 2013 from http://www.helium.com/items/1018797-kantian-ethics-what-immanuel-kant-was-talking-about