As more companies move to outsource services currently performed in-house, they'll likely encounter a slew of risks, some of which become clear only when something goes badly wrong. Managers will have to mitigate these risks in order to reap the substantial benefits that outsourcing provides.

Outsourcing services to a third party is typically done to reduce costs. But it also holds many hidden risks. Our best-practice research shows how managers can address these risks and move beyond a cost focus to create value that delights customers.