The sourcing of application software services: empirical evidence of cultural, industry and functional differences: with 27 tables

1 Introduction. - 1.1 Problem Statement. - 1.2 Research Focus and Objectives. - 1.3 Overview of Research Methodology. - 1.4 Study Organization. - 2 Theoretical Framework on Information Systems Sourcing. - 2.1 The Nature of the Information Systems Sourcing Decision. - 2.1.1 Definition of Core Concepts. - 2.1.1.1 Information Systems Function. - 2.1.1.2 Sourcing. - 2.1.2 Main Components of Sourcing Decision. - 2.1.2.1 The Phase-theorem. - 2.1.2.2 Applying the Phase-theorem. - 2.1.3 Framing the Sourcing Decision into a Variance Theory. - 2.1.3.1 Variance versus Process Theory. - 2.1.3.2 Structural Elements of a Variance Theory. - 2.2 Analysis and Selection of Theoretical Lenses. - 2.2.1 Literature Review. - 2.2.1.1 Theoretical and Methodological Diversity. - 2.2.1.2 Theoretical Challenges. - 2.2.2 The Theory of the Firm. - 2.2.2.1 Neoclassics, Industrial Economics and Gutenberg. - 2.2.2.2 Behavioralism. - 2.2.2.3 New Institutional Economics. - 2.2.2.4 Dynamic Theories. - 2.2.3 From Innovation Diffusion to Attitude-Behavior Approaches. - 2.2.4 Summary of Selection Process. - 2.3 Hypotheses from Selected Theoretical Lenses. - 2.3.1 Transaction Cost Theory. - 2.3.1.1 Production and Transaction Costs. - 2.3.1.2 Comparative Cost Advantages. - 2.3.1.3 Integrating Behavioral Antipodes of Opportunism. - 2.3.1.4 Overview. - 2.3.2 Resource-based Theory. - 2.3.2.1 Information Systems Resources and Impacts. - 2.3.2.2 Comparative Advantage in Strategic Contribution. - 2.3.2.4 Comparative Advantage in Operational Contribution. - 2.3.2.5 Comparative Advantage in Sustained Systemic Impact. - 2.3.2.6 Comparative Advantage in Resources. - 2.3.2.7 Overview. - 2.3.3 Incomplete Contracts Theory. - 2.3.3.1 Cost-Benefit Dilemma of Compensating Incomplete Contracts. - 2.3.3.2 Institutional Safeguards through Ownership. - 2.3.4 Theory of Planned Behavior. - 2.3.4.1 Nexus between Individual and Organizational Behavior. - 2.3.4.2 Attitudes, Subjective Norm and Behavioral Control. - 2.3.4.3 Overview. - 2.3.5 Synthesis of Theoretical Concepts. - 2.4 Complementary Hypotheses from Selected Cultural Dimensions. - 2.4.1 Definition of Culture. - 2.4.2 Selection of Cultural Dimensions. - 2.4.2.1 Inductive Selection. - 2.4.3.2 Deductive Selection. - 2.4.3 Impact of Selected Cultural Dimensions. - 2.4.3.1 Individualism-Collectivism. - 2.4.3.2 Long-term Versus Short-term Orientation. - 2.4.3.3 Directive Control. - 2.4.4 Extended Mid-range Theoretical Framework on IS Sourcing. - 3 Empirical Test of Sourcing Model. - 3.1 Structural Equation Modeling. - 3.1.1 Ways of Model Specification. - 3.1.2 Estimation Procedures. - 3.1.3 Evaluation Procedures. - 3.1.4 Applicability. - 3.2 Operationalization of Constructs. - 3.2.1 Outsourcing Behavior and Attitude Variables. - 3.2.2 Comparative Advantage Variables at the Organizational Level. - 3.2.3 Comparative Advantage Variables at Worker Level. - 3.2.4 Contextual Variables. - 3.3 Data Collection. - 3.4 Sample Characteristics. - 3.5 Model Estimation and Evaluation. - 3.5. 1 Measurement Model. - 3.5. 2 Structural Model. - 3.5. 2.1 Overall Model Evaluation. - 3.5. 2.2 Hypotheses Testing. - 3.6 Overview. - 4 Discussion of Model Findings. - 4.1 Commonalities between Groups. - 4.2 Group Differences. - 4.2.1 Germany versus USA. - 4.2.2 Machinery versus Finance Industry. - 4.2.3 Application Development versus Maintenance. - 4.3 Theoretical Implications. - 4.4 Practical Implications. - 4.5 Study Limitations. - 4.6 Future Research. - 5 Conclusion. - Appendix A: Literature Sources on Information Systems Outsourcing. - Appendix B: Research Approaches. - Appendix C: Cover Letters. - C.1 Initial Cover Letter in English. - C.2 Follow-up Cover Letter in English. - C.3 Initial Cover Letter in German. - C.4 Follow-up Cover Letter in German. - Appendix D: Questionnaires. - D.1 Questionnaire in English. - D.2 Questionnaire in German. - List of Figures. - List of Tables. - Literature.