Edinburgh Napier University

  This paper presents a literature review on outsourcing in library and information services, with particular reference to business research and information services. This is complemented with some findings of a small-scale research project into perceptions of outsourcing in the business information sector. The individuals surveyed for the empirical work were members of the UK business information community who have experience of establishing relationships with external partners, as well as representatives from three outsourced information service providers. The work set out to establish whether research and information services delivery can be improved through the use of a third party, and to identify strategies which heighten the likelihood of this being achieved. It has also been possible to consider how the adoption of outsourcing strategies impact career roles of business information professionals.