Study Finds Cost Major Factor In Outsourcing Positions

theodp writes "Debunking claims to the contrary, a new study from Duke University asserts that it is purely cost savings, and not the education of Indian and Chinese workers, or a shortage of American engineers that has caused offshore outsourcing. 'The key advantage of hiring Chinese entry-level engineers was cost savings, whereas a few respondents cited strong education or training and a willingness to work long hours. Similarly, cost savings were cited as a major advantage of hiring Indian entry-level engineers, whereas other advantages were technical knowledge, English language skills, strong education or training, ability to learn quickly, and a strong work ethic.' The article goes on to point out that despite this, outsourcing will continue to be a problem for US workers in coming decades; new elements of traditional corporations like R&D may in fact be next on the outsourcing chopping block."

Comments

Re:work ethic my eye

[Marxist Hacker 42]

Perhaps this is true in China, but I just found out that my India developers are refusing to work tomorrow because of the Good Friday holiday. Turns out that just about every Christian, Hindu, and Muslim holiday is nationally considered a day off. This bones me supremely, because I've got stuff due at the end of the week, and my developers are on vacation starting this morning (thursday) until monday.

Did you remind them that Good Friday, by ancient Christian tradition, does not start until 3pm?