The aim of this book is to investigate the discursive power of two original theoretical lenses
when applied to real outsourcing arrangements and phenomena. The Transaction Cost Economics
(TCE) and Foucauldian perspectives are brought to bear on five outsourcing relationships in
order to test the application of these discourses to rich qualitative data over the outsourcing
contractual life-cycle. This will be the first study illustrating the relevance of Foucauldian
concepts of governmentality discourse and power relations to the study of outsourcing
arrangements and will also incorporate the perspectives of both client and supplier
organizations. Using discourse analysis the objective is to critically deconstruct and provide
fresh insight into the normative 'outsourcing' discourse that has grown up around global
sourcing practices over the last 30 years.
