Global Sourcing: Powerfully Creating Value and Driving Change in Publishing

Global sourcing is the procurement of business services, either internally from a shared service centre (SSC), externally from an outsourcing provider, or via hybrid variants and combinations of these. In itself, global sourcing is not a panacea for corporate underperformance or fractured business models, but when applied correctly it returns value to shareholders by reducing operating costs, optimizing capabilities, and providing innovation in technology and processes. This report conveys to the leaders of the information industry the sourcing options available, the challenges they may face in adopting sourcing solutions, how to make the first (or further) bold steps, implement effective governance processes, and achieve value. It contains:

- Analysis of the needs assessment process in five steps: from outcome thinking to strategic options;
- A detailed look at global sourcing options: outsourcing, shared service centers, and hybrid models;
- Tips on managing and measuring the return on sourcing engagements;
- Analysis of publishers’ outsourcing risks and possible mitigation strategies;
- Primary outsourcing and offshoring mistakes;
- A look at the future sourcing landscape;
- Essential actions for information providers and publishers.