Author:
Larsen Marcus M.,Mkalama Ben,Mol Michael J.
Abstract
AbstractWe explore the evolution of Africa’s business process outsourcing (BPO) industry. In so doing, we seek to derive policy and managerial implications on how African suppliers can grow and become more attractive to foreign multinational corporations (MNCs). We discuss insights from the literature on (BPO) clusters and how these evolve. Our conceptual arguments are supported by a case study of the evolution of the Kenyan BPO cluster through three broad stages: embryonic, early, and developmental. We argue that this evolution has been hampered by factors including the small and sometimes informal nature of local suppliers, the reluctance of foreign multinationals to make long-term commitments, and the intermittent devotion by the Kenyan government to supporting BPO clusters. Accordingly, we suggest direct and indirect policy initiatives to grow the industry toward a more mature stage, increase knowledge spillovers and formalization levels, and improve working conditions.
Funder
Copenhagen Business School Library
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Management of Technology and Innovation,Business and International Management
Reference110 articles.
1. Abid, M. 2015. The close relationship between informal economic growth and carbon emissions in Tunisia since 1980: The (IR)relevance of structural breaks. Sustainable Cities and Society, 15: 11–21.
2. Abramovitz, M. 1986. Catching up, forging ahead, and falling behind. The Journal of Economic History, 46(2): 385–406.
3. African Union. 2008. Study on Harmonisation of Telecommunication, Information and Communication Technologies Policies and Regulation in Africa. https://www.itu.int/ITU-D/projects/ITU_EC_ACP/hipssa/docs/2_Draft_Report_Study_on_Telecom_ICT_Policy_31_March_08.pdf. Accessed December 19, 2022.
4. Afuah, A. N., & Utterback, J. M. 1997. Responding to structural industry changes: A technological evolution perspective. Industrial and Corporate Change, 6(1): 183–202.
5. Agarwal, R., Sarkar, M. B., & Echambadi, R. 2002. The conditioning effect of time on firm survival: An industry life cycle approach. Academy of Management Journal, 45(5): 971–994.
Cited by
1 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献
1. Theorizing international business in Africa: A roadmap;Journal of International Business Policy;2023-11-02