Emerging Offshore Outsourcing Markets You Can't Miss
Egypt has the most market potential among emerging providers of global IT services, according to a recent study by the London School of Economics Outsourcing Unit.
The report, "Beyond BRIC," was commissioned by the Information Technology Industry Development Agency of Egypt. But the authors, who compared data on costs, infrastructure, skills and other factors among 14 offshoring up-and-comers, say that Egypt has a good cultural connection with the West, strong language skills, good positioning as a partner with other offshore leaders like India, and convenience for European businesses.
The study compares Egypt to Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Belarus, Morocco, Tunisia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Venezuela, Vietnam, and the Philippines. [Don't miss The 25 Most Dangerous Cities for Offshore Outsourcing.]
Mexico and Costa Rica made a strong showing in the Americas. Czech Republic received the highest marks for both quality of infrastructure (telecommunications, power, transportation, and real estate) and risk attractiveness. Poland ranked the highest in terms of a supportive environment for fostering and outsourcing, including government backing, compatibility with the prevailing business culture, quality of life, and accessibility. (For the top countries in six categories of global sourcing advantages, see the lists below.)
The report was based on the LSE Outsourcing Unit's database of 1,000 global sourcing IT studies from 1993 to 2009; a survey of 18 global sourcing analysts; and interviews with more than 50 client organizations, suppliers and analysts.
Report co-author Leslie Wilcocks was surprised by the sheer number of countries--more than 120--eager to develop their business and IT services industries as well as the dynamics of the global sourcing landscape. "Things change quickly--cost, skills availability, political environment," says Wilcocks, a professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Sign up for ITworld's Daily newsletter
Follow ITworld on Twitter @IT_world
On Twitter now
outsourcing
Powered by Twitter
Esther Schindler
If the comments are ugly, the code is ugly
claird
SVG a graphics format for 21st century
pasmith
Take Chrome OS for a test spin
Sandra Henry-Stocker
Solaris Tip: Have Your Files Changed Since Installation?
jfruh
Android fragments vs. the iPhone monolith
mikelgan
What Gizmodo missed about the Pro WX Wireless USB disk drive
Where Google Chrome security fails: the password
I heard mention that the Chrome OS will have some sort of encryption available a la bitlocker. If it's possible to encrypt personal data using another password or key, then it may have potential for very secure data.... And Ubuntu has an 'encrypt home directory' option, perhaps google should follow suit.
- Dann
Join the conversation here
Quick, practical advice for IT pros. Made fresh daily.
Want to cash in on your IT savvy? Send your tip to tips@itworld.com. If we post it, we'll send you a $25 Amazon e-gift card.
