Sixty-eight of the companies surveyed had offshore operations while 46 did not.

Growth was cited as an important or critical driver for 84 percent of respondents doing offshoring; increasing speed to market and productivity were the next most important drivers.

SIIA said respondents claim to be meeting 80 percent to 100 percent of cost-saving goals. But gains in productivity appear to be less-than-expected.

Seventy-three percent of respondents report a positive impact on profits and two-thirds claim the quality of work is above average compared to the onshore staff. Twenty-five percent rate the quality as excellent or outstanding.

The research found that some companies underestimate what is needed to succeed and how much effort is necessary for adaptation. This situation is exacerbated by a tendency to think in the short term, focusing on goals such as cost-cutting.