This thesis answers the research question: How do corporate social and environmental responsibilities (CSER) affect global IT outsourcing (GITO)? In answering this question we identified seven key trends that are directing CSER in GITO. We found that CSER in outsourcing is new and relevant, with growing interest from outsourcing providers and buyers. CSER will be driven by consumer concerns and employee expectations, which are particularly relevant for outsourcing buyers with a consumer oriented product or service, such as banks or retail organisations. The need to attract and retain employees will increase the need for CSER at outsource providers. Similarly, CSER is important to an organisation's brand reputation with consumers, employees and other stakeholders such as investors. Within CSER, environmental topics are a growing issue: the need to reduce power consumption and thereby reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from carbon-based power production. We learned of 'green-washing', the need to be suspicious of CSER claims that cannot be fully validated. This led us, and others, to suggest that due diligence is required to counter possible in-authentic CSER by GITO providers. As a method of validating CSER claims, we propose using global standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative and ISO 26000 when examining CSER at outsource providers. We examined CSER from a strategic perspective, to understand if CSER provides a long-term advantage to outsource providers. Directed by the research data and theoretical frameworks, we proposed a model of strategic and responsive CSER suggested by Porter and Kramer (2006). Responsive CSER describes the set of basic requirements that have become 'table-stakes' for GITO providers. Strategic CSER distinguishes outsource providers by providing long-term benefits that are not easily copied by competitors. By applying the strategic/responsive CSER model for GITO in a case study we developed a model that provides guidance to outsource buyers and their providers on when and how to share and collaborate on CSER projects. The key contribution of this research is a model that describes the characteristics for buyers and providers to collaborate on CSER projects to build trust in the outsourcing relationship and to create shared benefits for both parties and to society or the environment. This research applies the Porter and Kramer model to an outsourcing relationship to understand how CSER can be used to improve GITO.

Building a thriving information economy is a goal for many developing countries. This research helps identify the factors (inhibitors and motivators) that can be used to leverage the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector in a developing country to build a sustainable information economy that benefits other sectors of the economy. This is done by studying the current literature on this topic and then synthesizing the theoretical models to create a unified decision framework to help developing countries set their path to building a sustainable information economy. Drawing on past literature and extant theory, a novel ICT4D decision framework is built that provides a three-dimensional view based on 1) the ICT value chain, 2) key factors (e.g. infrastructure, policies, markets), and 3) stakeholders (e.g. industry, government, academia). This decision framework is then used to study the case of Palestine, where secondary and primary data are used to compare the critical success factors for Palestine with the general framework. This synthesized framework and critical success factors superset is expected to advance the field’s understanding of how both controllable and non-controllable country characteristics contribute to or inhibit the growth and development of an ICT sector in developing countries. In addition, the framework and identified success factors help in setting a future path for development. Results from both secondary data sources demonstrate the usability of the framework to analyze the current setting of the ICT sector, in addition, to help investigate a range of possible opportunities for action to reach a higher level of ICT success. Then, via a targeted set of interviews with academic, industrial, and governmental sources who are experts in the Palestinian ICT arena, an exploratory study was performed that focused on key critical success factors for future development of the ICT economy. Controllable factors that have the potential for sustainable action were identified. In the case of Palestine, it appears that despite having many challenges that are out of control, there seem to be many opportunities for change specifically in government and educational policies that can help the ICT sector in specific, and the Palestinian economy in general reach its real potential. Given the current political situation in Palestine, it was found that there is a great potential in creating new software products for export. The challenges in this particular area in the case of Palestine lies in the lack of adequate business skills to research the global market and to market products and services that can be offered by the Palestinian ICT sector. The findings should also help stakeholders see if the challenges to developing an ICT sector in Palestine are the same as those for any developing country, and where they are truly unique. The outcomes of this research have the potential to frame and inform economic development decisions that could define the future of the Palestinian state.

Many information technology (IT) outsourcing initiatives fail, resulting in a high impact on business results and customer satisfaction. Without effective strategies, business leaders who outsource their IT services are at considerable risk of failure and stakeholder dissatisfaction. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore outsourcing strategies that IT managers in Southern Ontario, Canada, used to ensure customer satisfaction. Participants included 9 executives with experience in complex IT outsourcing initiatives. Stakeholder theory and transaction cost economics theory were the conceptual frameworks for the study. Data were gathered using semistructured interviews to query 8 topical areas including IT outsourcing reasons, challenges, and successful solutions. Data analysis using thematic analysis revealed 4 themes: strategic intent for outsourcing, applicable frameworks, risk awareness, and partnership strategies. Key findings included the importance of clients’ and suppliers’ focus on deal principles, innovation, and work-collaboration strategies to enhance performance and customer satisfaction. Information technology managers’ application of the findings of this study may improve business success and contribute to positive social change by revitalizing the clients’ and suppliers’ economies to create job opportunities and improve the quality of lives of employees and their communities.