Printing Industry Offshoring: Perspectives from US-Based Printers

Abstract

Purpose In this paper we look at how U.S. printers perceive offshoring trends in the printing industry, and explore how they are responding to its opportunities and challenges. Methodology/ Approach We relied on data collection comprising of three stages, exploratory interviews, an industry survey, and follow-up interviews. Findings Printers are aware of the offshoring threat and are being affected by it. In terms of products and services, quick and variable printing, as well as non-standard IT services (with the exception of data management), are the areas that are less likely to suffer from job loss due to the offshoring. To respond to the threat of offshore outsourcing, printers are trying to either focus on “safe” products, introduce new services, or offshore themselves. Research Implications Due to a low response rate, we were unable to use performance data in our analysis. This is a limitation that researchers in this industry will have to find a way to overcome given that for a large percentage of the industry there is no public data available. Practical implications While many U.S. printers are feeling the negative effects of offshoring, they are less likely to take advantage of its benefits. Value of Paper Most offshoring studies to date have relied on publicly available data, which has significant limitations. This study uses a mix of both survey and interview data to attain a more nuanced view of how the U.S. printing industry is being affected by and responding to offshoring.