Monday, 26 May 2008

Article Published in SOIJ...

Strategic Outsourcing An International Journal, Volume 1 Number 1 has been published. I was lucky enough to have my paper accepted and included in this first issue.

A special thanks to the Editor Dr. Marco Busi, CEO and Head of Research, Carisma RCT Ltd., Inverness, Scotland, UK and Academic Advisor Dr. Kevin C. DeSouza, Information School, University of Washington, USA for their invaluable support and guidance.

Title: Offshoring: secure or open to the praying mantis?

Abstract:
Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate and gain knowledge into the reasons why a UK-based wholesaling company outsourced its information technology and call centre services, and what security measures were put in place to protect the sensitive information they hold in and transmit via their information system to prevent misuse of sensitive information, and to highlight any challenges the company faced connected with offshore outsourcing.
Design/methodology/approach – The research in this paper is exploratory and draws on prior research following a company's journey of outsourcing its network security and contact/call centre services to two offshore Indian companies, and subsequently discusses the issues surrounding maintaining the security and control of the systems.
Findings – The paper shows that offshore outsourcing of security management and contact/call centre services can be managed and organised successfully.
Research limitations/implications – The one case study limits the findings – they may not be generalisable.
Originality/value – For researchers and academia, the paper adds to the literature on outsourcing and call centre work and may be of interest to companies who are considering offshore outsourcing.

Citation: Burns, B. (2008). Offshoring: secure or open to the praying mantis?. Strategic Outsourcing An International Journal, 1(1), 77-86

Super Saints still second…


Saints faced Hull FC at the KC Stadium last night resulting in a win and reclaiming second place in the Super League table...They led 10-4 at half time and went on to win the game 16-8. For full match report Click Here.


Hull FC
Tries: Yeaman; Raynor

Saints
Tries: Wilkin; Tyrer; Pryce
Goals: Long 2

Attendance: 14,653

Friday, 28 March 2008

Saints lose battle against the Champions Leeds...

Saints lost tonight at home to Leeds Rhinos. Both teams battled for 80 minutes to serve up a hard fought game. Saints played and defended well in testing conditions dominating the game at times but Leeds were equally as good and in the end took the two points giving them a 6 point lead over Saints...Final score Saints 10 Leeds 14. Click here for full match report.

Saints
Tries: Wellens
Goals: Long 3

Leeds
Tries: Lauitiiti; Burgess
Goals: Sinfield 3

Attendance
11,188

Tuesday, 25 March 2008

Giants scoop the win...

Saints are defeated for the third time this season at the Galpharm Stadium on Easter Monday (April 23rd). Saints looked as if they were running away to victory but Huddersfield Giants fought back from a 14-0 deficit to win 28-26. For full match report click here.

Huddersfield
Tries: Griffin (2); Lolesi; Whatuira; Jensen
Goals: Tharman 4

Saints
Tries: Wellens; Flannery; Pryce; Roby
Goals: Long 5

Attendance
7,131

Friday, 21 March 2008

A 'Good Friday' for Super Saints...

Super Saints sent Wigan Warriors packing in this afternoon's traditional Good Friday derby...

The afternoon started with a one minute silence in remembrance of Eric Ashton MBE, a former Wigan player and St Helens Life President who died yesterday after a long battle against cancer.

In front of a full house, Saints and Wigan braved every weather element with Saints dominating the derby clash. Saints were 22 nil up at half time and they ran in a total of nine tries to seal the win, placing them third in the Super League...Final score Saints 46 Wigan 10. For full match report click here.

Saints
Tries: Talau; Gidley; Graham; Wellens; Long; Meli (2); Pryce; Eastmond
Goals: Long 4; Eastmond 1

Wigan
Tries: Mcllorum; Carmont
Goals: O'Loughlin 1

Attendance
17,500

Thursday, 20 March 2008

Catalans Dragons Slay Saints...

St Helens were defeated in France by Catalans at the weekend...Saints started well but the Dragons proved too strong for Saints, full time score: Catalans Dragons 24 St Helens 10. For full match report Click here

Catalan
Tries: Pelo (2); Casty; Chan
Goals: Bosc 4

Saints
Tries: Graham; Meli
Goals: Smith 1

Attendance
7,828

Friday, 7 March 2008

Smith clinches win for Saints in thriller against Hull...

What a thrilling spectacle at Knowsley Road tonight...Hull led 12 points to nil in the first eight minutes, but Saints with their usual flair fought back to bring the half time score in their favour to 22-14. After the restart, Hull hit back at Saints with two quick tries and a third on the 69th minute from Yeaman taking the score to 22-28. Saints responded with a try from Roby and conversion from Smith forcing a 28 all draw. Hull looked to have won the game when a drop goal from Dykes put them back in the lead. Again Saints fought back and looked to have clinched the game with a try from Gidley, but he was held up, and it was Matty Smith who became the hero of the game by planting a penalty goal firmly between the posts in the final seconds of the game to see Saints win. Final score Saints 30 Hull 29. For full match report Click Here.

Saints
Tries: Gardner; Smith; Talau; Eastmond; Roby
Goals: Smith 5

Hull
Tries: Dykes; Houghton; Hall; Washbrook; Yeaman
Goals: Tickle 4
Drop Goal: Dykes

Attendance
10,209