Features of International Sourcing in Europe in 2001-2006 - Issue number 73/2009 - Products Statistics in Focus

International Sourcing as a business model is becoming more popular as resident enterprises move abroad their core and support business functions that were performed in-house or domestically sourced. This publication analyses what type of international sourcing is most common as well as the impact on employment. A survey carried out by twelve countries on enterprises engaged in international sourcing during the 2001-2006 period showed that insourcing, i.e. moving business functions abroad but within the same enterprise group is the most common type of international sourcing. Its perceived impact on competitiveness, costs reduction and access to new markets is positive, although more enterprises expect moving jobs abroad rather than creating new jobs domestically as a result of future international sourcing.