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  • September 2014 (Revised July 2018)
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adidas Group: IT Multi-Sourcing

By: Lynda M. Applegate, Martin Wiener, Carol Saunders and Grandon Gill
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:23
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Abstract

This case describes the design and implementation of an IT-multi-sourcing strategy at a large global sportswear company, the adidas Group, which is headquartered in Germany. To help increase the benefits and reduce the risks of its sourcing arrangements, adidas carefully selected two tier-2 vendors to work with its primary tier-1 vendor, a large Indian outsourcing firm that it had worked with closely for over a decade. The management of the multi-sourcing arrangement is posing a number of challenges. The Chief Information Officer is considering a number of options to ensure the continued success of the multi-sourcing strategy, including restructuring the IT group, developing the skills of its staff, and starting a captive center.

Keywords

IT Strategy; Outsourcing; Organizational Structure; Information Technology; Strategy; Sports Industry; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Germany

Citation

Applegate, Lynda M., Martin Wiener, Carol Saunders, and Grandon Gill. "adidas Group: IT Multi-Sourcing." Harvard Business School Case 815-002, September 2014. (Revised July 2018.)
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About The Author

Lynda M. Applegate

Entrepreneurial Management
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Related Work

    • March 2016
    • Faculty Research

    adidas Group: IT Multi-Sourcing at adidas

    By: Lynda Applegate, Carol Saunders, Grandon Gill and Martin Wiener
    • September 2014 (Revised July 2018)
    • Faculty Research

    adidas Group: IT Multi-Sourcing

    By: Lynda M. Applegate, Martin Wiener, Carol Saunders and Grandon Gill
Related Work
  • adidas Group: IT Multi-Sourcing at adidas By: Lynda Applegate, Carol Saunders, Grandon Gill and Martin Wiener
  • adidas Group: IT Multi-Sourcing By: Lynda M. Applegate, Martin Wiener, Carol Saunders and Grandon Gill
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