Plans for international sourcing in Europe in 2007-2009

International sourcing, especially in the services sector, is a recent feature of the global economy. A survey carried out in twelve European countries showed that, over the period 2001-2006, 16% of the surveyed enterprises moved certain business functions abroad in search of lower costs, new market opportunities and other efficiency gains. In the period 2007-2009 Swedish, Danish and Finnish enterprises reported the highest rate of planned international sourcing. More than twice as many manufacturing enterprises have plans for international sourcing than enterprises in other sectors and, at the same time, the importance of non-EU destinations is growing. Labour costs and access to new markets are the greatest deciding factors for enterprises with plans for international sourcing, whereas proximity to clients and legal or administrative barriers are the two greatest obstacles.