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◦Aside from maximizing profits, list the key factors that managers should consider when deciding whether or not to outsource offshore. Determine the key factors that you believe to be the most influential. Provide a rationale for your response.

◦Examine the manner in which the firm’s decision to outsource offshore is impacted by foreign exchange. Determine whether or not it matters where the company outsources offshore. Provide a rationale for your response.

One primary reason that companies outsource is the decrease in costs. Since the inputs (land, labor and capital) are lower abroad, companies are able to maximize profits. Beside the cost savings, another key factor that managers should consider when outsourcing, is the quality of service. When companies outsource business processes, the managers need to know if outsourcing still brings the same quality. For example, when a company outsources its call center operations abroad, the company needs to know if the call center agents abroad can bring the same quality of communication, expertise, and skills as American call center agents. Although the talent gap has widely decreased over the years, there are still some discrepancies between local and international talents. Differences in cultures, beliefs, work ethic and lifestyle are some factors that cause these discrepancies.

Another key factor is the technological level. Can international counterparts bring the same technological advancements to producing a product or service? Manufacturing has been dominated by China due to the economies of scale. As a matter of fact, it would be very cost-effective for American manufacturers to outsource manufacturing in China due to massive development of the manufacturing industry. On the other hand, technological level could also refer to services. It is possible that a foreign country could have

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