Drivers of Individual Performance in IT Offshore Outsourcing Projects - A Case Study from the German Banking Industry

The research question of this paper is what drives individual performance of members in IT offshore outsourcing projects. The research methodology chosen to analyze this research question is an exploratory and interpretive case study design. 15 unstructured and semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed with the aim of contributing to the theory-building process of individual performance in offshore outsourcing. The result of our investigations is an integrated performance model including expectancy theory, goal-setting theory, and cultural intelligence. In summary, we found four essential drivers for individual motivation and performance in the project: A cascading approach to meet deadlines which enhanced self-efficacy; the clarification of roles, responsibilities, and goals supported by a work coordination tool; the mutual clarification of expectations and open communication between German and Indian project workers as well as between superiors and subordinates; and the development of cultural intelligence for successful cross-cultural adaptation.