Abstract:

KPO (Knowledge Process Outsourcing) is an enterprise-knowledge-process-oriented outsourcing model referring to knowledge-intensive services, which presents a rapid growth trend and has drawn more attention. The issue of knowledge risks prevention in KPO is an important one considering its characteristics of complexity and knowledge-related. Based on the existing literature, this paper tries to put forward a framework of knowledge risk factors in KPO; and then it applies the framework to analyze two cases of Evalueserve (Shanghai) and Sunyu Infotech (Nanjing), which are typical KPO providers with a storied history for risk prevention. In doing so, three kinds of risk prevention mechanisms (contract, trust and technology) are derived that shed light on how the KPO provider prevents knowledge risks effectively. With its findings, this study contributes to the knowledge on KPO risk, and provides a useful reference for KPO practitioners.

Key words: Knowledge Process Outsourcing(KPO), Service outsourcing, Risk prevention, Mechanism
Case study