THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF BUSINESS MODELS IN THE IT SECTOR: FOCUS ON OUTSTAFFING

Abstract

The article examines theoretical and methodological foundations for studying business models in the information technology (IT) sector, with a special focus on outstaffing as a distinctive and underexplored form of work organization. The evolution of human resource management (HRM) concepts is outlined, showing the transition from traditional administrative roles to strategic HR-business partnerships that treat human capital as a source of innovation and competitive advantage. Within this shift, outsourcing, outstaffing, and product-oriented models are analyzed comparatively, with outstaffing positioned as a flexible mechanism that combines client control with global access to specialized talent. The global IT services market, projected to reach multi-trillion-dollar volumes in the coming decade, demonstrates rising demand for organizational solutions that enable scalability, adaptability, and cost optimization. Outstaffing responds to these needs, yet the academic discourse reveals unresolved issues: inconsistent terminology, blurred boundaries with outsourcing and staff leasing, and the lack of unified methodological tools for measuring efficiency. Existing approaches often rely on simplified cost comparisons while neglecting hidden factors such as onboarding, integration into corporate culture, and knowledge retention risks. The purpose of the article is to systematize research approaches, define the role of outstaffing within IT business model typologies, and propose a conceptual foundation for its further exploration. The study emphasizes the need to develop a consistent framework and integrated evaluation metrics that account for financial, institutional, and socio-technical aspects. The results aim to contribute to academic debate and managerial practice, providing IT companies with clearer guidelines for strategic decision-making in the global digital economy. Future research should focus on long-term comparative studies across institutional contexts and the integration of ESG-related issues, including fairness, transparency, and sustainable career development for externally engaged teams. Such work will strengthen the conceptual basis for outstaffing and support its recognition as a full-fledged business model in the IT sector.