外包不仅仅是一种短期的成本削减措施。与服务提供商合作是一项战略性的商业决策。这篇面向管理的论文讨论了制造商在做出外包业务决策时的一些考虑因素。它考察了制造商为什么要进行外包，包括节约成本、获得竞争优势、经济高效地采用新技术，以及技能型人才日益短缺的影响。最后给出了几家制造公司实施模块化外包的例子。

OUTSOURCING IS MORE THAN A SHORT-TERM COST CUTTING MEASURE. IT IS A STRATEGIC BUSINESS DECISION TO PARTNER WITH A SERVICE PROVIDER. THIS MANAGEMENT-ORIENTED PAPER DISCUSSES SOME CONSIDERATIONS FOR MANUFACTURERS WHEN MAKING A BUSINESS DECISION TO OUTSOURCE. IT EXAMINES WHY MANUFACTURERS OUTSOURCE INCLUDING COST SAVINGS, GAINING COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE, COST EFFECTIVELY ADOPTING NEW TECHNOLOGIES, AND THE IMPACT OF A GROWING SHORTAGE OF SKILLED PERSONNEL. IT CONCLUDES WITH EXAMPLES OF MODULAR OUTSOURCING IMPLEMENTATIONS AT SEVERAL MANUFACTURING COMPANIES.