A typology and meta-analysis of outsourcing relationship frameworks

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to consider 52 conceptual frameworks identified during a systematic literature review with the aim of providing insights into various aspects of outsourcing relationships. Many authors propose these frameworks to contribute to our understanding of how outsourcing relationships are conceived, operate and evolve. A meta-analysis of these frameworks was completed. Design/methodology/approach – The approach consisted of five stages: a systematic, but focused literature review to identify relevant frameworks; a study of the selected frameworks to enable the design of a typology of framework styles, so that frameworks adopting similar styles can be compared and analysed; grouping of the frameworks into families addressing different aspects of relationships as they form, operate and evolve; using the types (from the typology) within these family groups to facilitate a meta-analysis of each group by identifying common or contrasting themes; and deriving overall observations...