| The purpose of this qualitative grounded study was to explore the thoughts, experiences, and needs of potential clients and of the triple-helix members with the intention to establish a framework to support the development of the regional economy through the information technology (IT) and business processing outsourcing (BPO) offshoring industry. The research study looked for the opportunities and niches for IT/BPO services. The study also considered the triple-helix perspective specifically including the opinion of leaders from universities, chambers of commerce, and government. The analysis of the reasons for the underdevelopment of the Mexican IT industry and the opinion of potential clients about the drivers and barriers for outsourcing allowed the development of a targeted strategy. The resulting theory allows better understanding of important practices and considerations that firms in the IT/BPO cluster and participants in the triple-helix must achieve to increase the offshoring industry competitiveness. The theory explains how to take advantage of local capabilities and foreign demand by suggesting improved practices for collaboration and interaction in a triple-helix ecosystem. Strategies resulting from the study may assist regional IT/BPO providers with identifying, targeting, and relating to the needs of businesses and potential clients and align collaborative efforts in the triple-helix. |
