IS outsourcing satisfaction and the IS managers’ job

Abstract

Purpose - This paper aims to examine information system (IS) outsourcing success through the satisfaction achieved therewith. It simultaneously analyzes how IS outsourcing may influence the IS managers' job. Design/methodology/approach - The results obtained in a survey on this topic carried out over a 12-year period are described. The proposal consists in a model that relates the degree of outsourcing with the satisfaction achieved therewith, in which the influence exerted by IS on the systems manager's job acts as a mediating variable. Findings - The study concludes that the way in which outsourcing affects the IS managers positively influences the satisfaction achieved with this service. Research limitations/implications - Outsourcing poses a great challenge for IS managers because they must devote more time to their managerial functions, and they need more knowledge too. These greater requirements or demands will most probably make these executives feel unsatisfied with outsourcing. However, the paper shows that satisfaction increases insofar as, despite all these demands, the working post characteristics improve, and the satisfaction and autonomy of IS managers grows and most importantly, they believe that their job has a higher added value. Originality/value - No studies had, hitherto, related outsourcing success and the implications of outsourcing for IS managers.