The Outsourcing Dilemma
Introduction
According to Daniel W. Drezner, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago and author, "Outsourcing actually brings far more benefits than costs, both now and in the long run. If its critics succeed in provoking a new wave of American protectionism, the consequences will be disastrous ? for the U.S. economy and for the American workers they claim to defend." (Drezner, 2004)
History is in the making as we listen and read about the heated debate on outsourcing from our "somewhat comfortable" suburban lives in the Midwest. Our comfort levels are being challenged, however; as we are made aware of friends, others close by, and the media reporting on those losing their jobs to outsourcing. What gage can be accurately used to measure the true effect of this phenomenon? The truth seems to elude our grasp as we hear those who are passionate speak out on both sides of the issue.
Outsourcing: Its Roots
Lou Dobbs, CNN anchor, known for his anger toward outsourcing believes that outsourcing's origins began with "the collapse of the telecom and communications bubble in 2000." He believes that "moving from the manufacturing offshoring to outsourcing was really a creation of the Internet", stating that "the bandwidth made it all possible." (Fleischer, 2005) Braun Consulting pinpoints the outsourcing industry's beginnings to be quite earlier, going as far back as sixteen years. "After the end of the Cold War more countries began opening up their doors to international trade and the exchange of jobs and services. The trend towards globalization began to increase dramatically." (Braun Consulting News, 2004) Still other sources ...