Outsourcing Business Functions: A Research Analysis

This business research assignment delves into the pros and cons of outsourcing business functions. The student analyzes various aspects like cost savings, flexibility, performance enhancement, risks associated with loss of control, communication issues, and potential ethical considerations. The paper also examines different methods used in quantitative and qualitative research for studying outsourcing practices. It concludes by highlighting the practical applications of this knowledge in future research and professional development.

Running head: BUSINESS RESEARCH
Business Research

BUSINESS RESEARCH 2
Reflection report
Evaluate the effectiveness and your usefulness of the learning experience
This research has gained my understanding regarding advantages and disadvantages of using
outsourcing the business function. This learning is valuable for me to understand that
outsourcing is a process by which business function of organization can be transferred to the
outsider as compared to completing it on their own business function. This research is effective
for me to develop the understanding of the concept of outsourcing. In this way, it is analyzed that
outsourcing is a technique which is used to make the use of core competencies of the
corporation. It also aids to allocate the resource effectively (Schniederjans, et. al., 2015). I have
also observed that outsourcing of the business function delivers the added value to the business
performance.
Explain how this learning process will be useful to you
I will apply my knowledge and insight to make further research in the future. I have gained my
knowledge that outsourcing is mainly used in HR, IT, after sales service and customer service
field. I have also observed that outsourcing is beneficial to cost-savings, flexibility, and
performance of the companies. This learning process is useful for me to improve my research
skills as well as effective for me to become a good business development manager.
I have also built my knowledge regarding disadvantages of using outsourcing the business
function. In this way, I have pointed that the rapid expansion of globalization has changed the
method of business management. It is analyzed that there is a certain factor which encourages
outsourcing of business function like infrastructure, set of skills, globalization, availability of
cheap labor, and support from the government (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016).
Describe objectively what happened in the learning process

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I did different activities such as I have participated to find the advantages of using outsourcing
the business function. In this way, I have pointed that there are different benefits of outsourcing
like fostering innovation, speed enhancement, capital savings, risk management, revenue growth,
quality improvement and cost reduction. I read about the disadvantages of using outsourcing the
business function. These are a loss of management control, poor communication, lower
productivity, loss of secrecy and privacy of information, lack of competitive advantages, and
financial losses (Rushton, et. al., 2014). This research is beneficial for me to enhance my
personal and professional career.
Evaluate what you learn
The business research was helpful for gaining learning in research. From this research, I have
learned that companies should develop clear communication by using different channels.
Further, I have pointed that role clarity is also maintained between parties. This research is also
helping to understand the literature review. In this way, it can be evaluated that outsourcing of
business function is mostly exercised in the financial sector (Willcocks, and Cullen, 2013). From
this research, I have learned that outsourcing of business function is used to make the
development of a cost-saving program for the corporation.
Explain your learning process
I did different activities in assignment 1 and assignment 2. These activities are the development
of research question and hypothesis, and research design and methodology. I have learned that
both primary and secondary question has developed to meet the research objectives. Along with
this, it can be analyzed that hypothesis is used to assess the relationship between two variables
named independent and dependent variable (Caruth, et. al., 2013). I have used research design

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which aids to develop the strategies for the research in an appropriate manner. It will aid to me
for assessing the expected result of the research program.
I have gained understanding regarding qualitative research. In this way, it can be evaluated that
observation method is used to select the participant for accomplishing the research objectives.
Along with this, I have increased my knowledge about in-depth interview approach. In this way,
it can be evaluated that interview with top executives of the company is effective to assess the
outsourcing of business function (Hill, et. al., 2014). Moreover, I have built my knowledge about
the questionnaire. In this way, it can be stated that open-ended questionnaire structure is used to
assess the reliable and valid outcome. As a result, I am competent to use the questionnaire in
further research. I have increased my learning experience regarding ethical consideration. In this
way, it is analyzed that ethical policies are used to conduct a good strategy as I can use ethical
consideration to make further research (Runar Edvardsson, and Durst, 2014).
Explain Plan how this learning you will apply
This learning may be applied in future. Since, it has developed my understanding regarding
quantitative research. Further, I have pointed that sampling technique is exercised to perform the
descriptive statistical approach. It is analyzed that research design aids to create the strategies for
a research study and to conduct the research in the appropriate direction (Sivakumar, et. al.,
2015). This learning experience is beneficial for me to obtain a targeted result for a research
study. Through this research, I have also gained my learning about a statistical approach which is
beneficial to comprehend the quantitative data. Consequently, it will enable me to use statistical
data analysis in further research in the field of business development. I have also developed an
understanding regarding research limitation. In this way, it is evaluated that lack of data
collection, effective communication and timing can create complexity to get reliable and valid

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information (Runar Edvardsson, and Durst, 2014). From this research, I have developed my
knowledge about the time schedule. In this way, it can be evaluated that time schedule is
beneficial to perform the activities in a specified time period. Consequently, this will be used by
me to make effective research strategy in an organization. Along with this, this strategy could be
beneficial to enhance my personal as well as professional career.

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References
Caruth, D. L., Haden, S. S. P., and Caruth, G. D. (2013) ‘Critical factors in human resource
outsourcing’, Journal of Management Research, 13(3), P. 1.
Hill, C. W., Jones, G. R., and Schilling, M. A. (2014) Strategic management: theory: an
integrated approach. USA: Cengage Learning.
Runar Edvardsson, I., and Durst, S. (2014) ‘Outsourcing of knowledge processes: a literature
review’, Journal of Knowledge Management, 18(4), pp. 795-811.
Rushton, A., Croucher, P., and Baker, P. (2014) The handbook of logistics and distribution
management: Understanding the supply chain. USA: Kogan Page Publishers.
Schniederjans, M. J., Schniederjans, A. M., and Schniederjans, D. G. (2015) Outsourcing and
insourcing in an international context. UK: Routledge.
Sekaran, U., and Bougie, R. (2016) Research methods for business: A skill building approach.
USA: John Wiley and Sons.
Sivakumar, R., Kannan, D., and Murugesan, P. (2015) ‘Green vendor evaluation and selection
using AHP and Taguchi loss functions in production outsourcing in mining industry’, Resources
Policy, 46, pp. 64-75.
Willcocks, L., and Cullen, S. (2013) Intelligent IT outsourcing. UK: Routledge.