OUTSOURCING AEROSPACE MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES

Many aerospace workers believe transferring work projects abroad has an erosive effect on the U.S. aerospace industry (Pritchard, 2002). A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted to examine factors for outsourcing decisions and the perceived effects of outsourcing on U.S. aerospace workers. The research sample consists of aerospace industry leaders and nonleaders from the East Coast, Midwest, and West Coast of the United States. Findings identified five core themes: communication, best value, opportunities, cost, and offset consideration. How might the themes provide the framework for future business models designed to assist leaders in making effective decisions and communicating the benefits of those decisions when considering outsourcing of work projects?