Evaluating Information Systems Offshore Project Success: Can Success and Failure Coexist?

This article addresses how the evaluation of information systems offshore projects can result in situations where success and failure may coexist. Based on multiple dyadic case studies across eight information systems offshore projects and taking into account both client and vendor stakeholder perspectives, we argue that both relational and outcome criteria should be considered in the evaluation of information systems offshore projects. We suggest that information systems offshore projects can be evaluated as a successful failure (relational success + outcome failure), or as a failed success (relational failure + outcome success), in addition to pure successes and failures. We discuss implications and also point to future research directions.