This book provides relevant theoretical frameworks and presents the latest empirical findings on outsourcing in Management Science (MS) and Operations Research (OR). It was written for professionals who want to improve their understanding of the strategic role of outsourcing at various levels of the information and knowledge organization, that is, outsourcing at the global economic level, at the network and organization level, at the team and work group level, at the information system level and, finally, outsourcing at the level of individuals as players in the networked environments. The contributors present original research or case studies, showcasing how outsourcing has been effectively applied in both practical situations and theoretical models. The chapters start with a basic concept and discuss the benefits, advantages and disadvantages, current cases, applications, theory, and outlook. The content spans a broad range of topics, drawing examples from both the private and public sector. Future applications, trends, and the potential future of outsourcing are also discussed.

This book is intended for professionals in the fields of energy, engineering, information science, mathematics, economics, etc., and for researchers who wish to develop new outsourcing skills, or who employ outsourcing as part of their work. As the first of a two-volume series, it focuses on bridging theory with practical applications.