Outsourcing has established itself as a standard business practice among UK companies, according to research.
A survey of 2,100 UK companies and organisations, conducted by pollsters NOP on behalf of recruitment firm Manpower, shows that business attitudes to outsourcing are becoming more positive.
More than half (51%) of the companies surveyed said that outsourcing has become an established way of working – a figure 14% higher than it was in 2003.
Similarly, the proportion of respondents who said that outsourcing has saved them time and money has increased from 47% in 2003, to 64%.
The business areas most likely to be outsourced are printing and design (40%), telecommunications (21%), product and service maintenance (19%) and IT services (19%).
Martyn Hart, chairman of the National Outsourcing Association, said: “Manpower’s research confirms that outsourcing is a burgeoning business process, and more organisations are realising the benefits that outsourcing can bring.
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“But it is important that businesses don’t solely focus on the benefits – to achieve outsourcing success, companies must adhere to best practice policies and practices.”
