Resumen de Future Profitability, Operating Cash Flows, and Market Valuations Associated with Offshoring Arrangements of Technology Jobs.
Kimberly Dunn, Mark Kohlbeck, Matthew Magilke
We investigate profitability, operating cash flows, and value relevance associated with offshoring arrangements of technology-oriented jobs. Offshoring is the business practice of moving substantial portions of a firm's business operations (and jobs) to another country usually to take advantage of lower labor costs or other production factors in developing countries. Offshoring carries social costs as local jobs are lost which may limit realization of benefits. We find that firms that offshore technology-oriented jobs report greater earnings and operating cash flows following an offshoring event as the relative size of the offshoring arrangement increases. Consistent with these results, the market only values offshoring beyond the impact recognized in the financial statements for larger offshoring arrangements. A valuation discount actually exists for smaller offshoring arrangements suggesting either (1) costs exceed potential benefits or (2) the perception that benefits are only realized through economies of scale. We document both benefits and costs that are important for those firms considering offshoring arrangements and their stakeholders.
