Outsourcing

Search Dictionary

Definition of 'Outsourcing'

Outsourcing is the process of hiring a third-party company to perform a specific business function. This can be done for a variety of reasons, such as reducing costs, improving efficiency, or gaining access to specialized skills or expertise.

There are many different types of outsourcing arrangements, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most common types of outsourcing include:

* **IT outsourcing:** This involves hiring a third-party company to provide IT services, such as data storage, network management, and software development.
* **Manufacturing outsourcing:** This involves hiring a third-party company to manufacture products.
* **Customer service outsourcing:** This involves hiring a third-party company to provide customer service support.
* **Legal outsourcing:** This involves hiring a third-party law firm to provide legal services.

Outsourcing can be a cost-effective way to improve the efficiency of a business. By hiring a third-party company to perform a specific business function, a company can focus on its core competencies and avoid the costs of hiring and training employees. Additionally, outsourcing can help a company gain access to specialized skills or expertise that it does not have in-house.

However, there are also some risks associated with outsourcing. One of the biggest risks is that the third-party company may not be able to provide the same level of quality or service as the company's own employees. Additionally, outsourcing can increase a company's dependence on a third-party company, which can make it difficult to change providers if the need arises.

Overall, outsourcing can be a valuable tool for businesses of all sizes. However, it is important to carefully consider the risks and benefits of outsourcing before making a decision.


Do you have a trading or investing definition for our dictionary? Click the Create Definition link to add your own definition. You will earn 150 bonus reputation points for each definition that is accepted.

Is this definition wrong? Let us know by posting to the forum and we will correct it.