Information Systems, Offshore Outsourcing, and Relevancy in the Business School Curriculum

AbstrAct Offshore outsourcing has been a growing phenomenon in recent years. Rarely will an IT professional pick up a trade publication or journal without some article relating to outsourcing or offshore outsourcing. This in turn raises the question for IS educators—what should we be doing to better prepare our graduates for a future where offshore outsourcing is a reality? This article looks at the following topics as they relate to IS curriculum matters for outsourcing: Offshore outsourcing and success factors, the skills needed to effective manage offshore outsourcing, a look at offshore outsourcing and the IS2002 model curriculum, suggested changes to IS2002 to incorporate offshore outsourcing education, and what skills from IS2002 are vital in preparing students for the future. PurPOsE And mOtIVAtIOn With the seemingly preponderance of jobs being outsourced to overseas locations Swanson, 2005), IS-related programs are perceived to many entering American freshmen as being a discipline to avoid, especially as it relates to career potential. In Australia, student numbers in MIS programs have been severely reduced (DEST, 2007), programs cut, faculty retrenched, and programs merged. These actions have taken a toll on business. Avison, Gregor, and Wilson (2006) write that the managerial mindset of some very large businesses is such that there is a belief that " IT doesn't matter " and that " the outsourcing of major projects will