An integrated outsourcing practice of nonclinical LC–MS bioanalysis and toxicokinetics at Novartis small molecule drug development

With decommissioning of internal regulated bioanalytical (BA) and toxicokinetic (TK) capabilities, Novartis has relied on external service providers (ESPs) for all nonclinical LC–MS BA and majority of the associated TK work since 2017. This paper outlines an integrated outsourcing practice of the Novartis nonclinical LC–MS BA/TK group, which covers the roles and responsibilities of Novartis nonclinical LC–MS BA/TK expert scientific monitors, selection of ESPs for Novartis nonclinical LC–MS BA/TK studies, qualification of BA/TK ESPs, study conduct and completion, ESP oversight and evaluation, issue mitigation, and future perspectives.

Service providers and firm performance: investigating the non-linear effect of dependence

Purpose Servitized manufacturers can leverage close relationships with external providers of product-related services to mobilize value creation and improve the responsiveness of their offerings to customer needs. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the economic link between the relational embeddedness of external service providers, as arising from the key dimension of dependence, and firm performance. Design/methodology/approach The study evaluates financial statement data pertaining to 190 dyadic relationships of servitized manufacturers with service providers operating in downstream channels and accounting for more than 10 per cent of their revenue. Findings The results indicate that service providers’ dependence has an inverted U-shaped relationship with manufacturers’ return-on-assets (ROA), via non-linear effects on return-on-sales and asset turnover. The results therefore suggest that the observed U-shaped relationship for ROA is driven by diminishing returns of dependence in terms of both differentiation ability and operational efficiency. Research limitations/implications Future research could examine other dimensions of embeddedness, as well as contingency factors that may influence the embeddedness–performance relationship. Practical implications The study conclusions suggest that managers of servitized firms should foster the embeddedness of external service providers, but they should also be careful to maintain an adequate level of dependence to maximize benefits and minimize liabilities. Originality/value The study adds to the limited research delving into inter-firm relationships between servitized manufacturers and external service providers. It empirically demonstrates the economic effects of service providers’ dependence-based embeddedness, challenging the general assumption about a monotonic positive effect of relational embeddedness.

Terminologiedatenaustausch mit TERMDAT – Passgenaue Schnittstellen für die Terminologiedatenbank der Schweizerischen Bundeskanzlei

The terminology database TERMDAT is at the very heart of the Terminology Section of the Swiss Federal Chancellery’s Central Language Services. It provides Swiss legal and administrative terminology predominantly for the four national languages German, French, Italian, and Romansh (plus English). However, data exchange with cooperating actors (Federal Departments, cantons, external service providers, etc.) constitutes a particular challenge, since these actors operate with different systems and data models. The present article describes a solution developed within a pilot project aiming at providing means to substantially improve data flow within a highly heterogeneous database landscape.

Uncovering the strengths and weaknesses of outsourcing core business deliverables: the case of selected state-owned enterprises in South Africa

Background: The outsourcing phenomenon is one of the extensive areas of business in the world. It is a practice among both private and public organisations and an important element in business strategy. Consequently, the execution of maintenance and repairs of equipment are core business deliverables of the power plant maintenance (PPM) department of the selected state-owned enterprise (SOE). Whilst internal employees normally perform such functions, the PPM department outsources them to external service providers. Objective: This study explored the contributing factors influencing outsourcing of core business deliverables. Method: The study was conducted in the PPM department of the selected SOE. Of the 152 individuals located across eight of the provinces in South Africa, identified for participation in the study, 135 participated. It was cross-sectional in nature and included participants from the management of the PPM department as well as its technical officials. Descriptive, correlation and regression analysis were used to test the three objectives, namely to assess the contributing factors influencing outsourcing of core business deliverables, to establish the effect of outsourcing core business deliverables on business performance and to examine the risks of outsourcing core business deliverables. Results: Outsourcing core business deliverables provide flexibility to the PPM department by enabling it to meet unexpected demands. However, it results in the leaking of confidential information to external service providers. Conclusion: Organisations that decide to outsource, must consider the benefits and risks carefully and take measures to mitigate the related risks.

Analyzing Requirements and Approaches for Sourcing Software Based Services

Increasingly, software is no longer developed as a single system, but rather as a smart combination of so-called software services. Each of these provides an independent, specific and relatively small piece of functionality, which is typically accessible through the Internet from internal or external service providers. There are no standards or models that describe the sourcing process of these software based services (SBS). The authors identify the sourcing requirements for SBS and associate the key characteristics of SBS (with the sourcing requirements introduced). Furthermore, this paper investigates the sourcing of SBS with the related works in the field of classical procurement, business process outsourcing, and information systems sourcing. Based on the analysis, the authors conclude that the direct adoption of these approaches for SBS is not feasible and new approaches are required for sourcing SBS.

Analyzing Requirements and Approaches for Sourcing Software Based Services

Increasingly, software is no longer developed as a single system, but rather as a smart combination of so-called software services. Each of these provides an independent, specific and relatively small piece of functionality, which is typically accessible through the Internet from internal or external service providers. To the best of our knowledge, there are no standards or models that describe the sourcing process of these software based services (SBS). We identify the sourcing requirements for SBS and associate the key characteristics of SBS (with the sourcing requirements introduced). Furthermore, we investigate the sourcing of SBS with the related works in the field of classical procurement, business process outsourcing, and information systems sourcing. Based on the analysis, we conclude that the direct adoption of these approaches for SBS is not feasible and new approaches are required for sourcing SBS.

Analyzing Requirements and Approaches for Sourcing Software Based Services

Increasingly, software is no longer developed as a single system, but rather as a smart combination of so-called software services. Each of these provides an independent, specific and relatively small piece of functionality, which is typically accessible through the Internet from internal or external service providers. There are no standards or models that describe the sourcing process of these software based services (SBS). The authors identify the sourcing requirements for SBS and associate the key characteristics of SBS (with the sourcing requirements introduced). Furthermore, this paper investigates the sourcing of SBS with the related works in the field of classical procurement, business process outsourcing, and information systems sourcing. Based on the analysis, the authors conclude that the direct adoption of these approaches for SBS is not feasible and new approaches are required for sourcing SBS.