Outsourcing of checkbook printing: The case of a family-owned bank in Hong Kong

This study analyzes the business background of a family- owned bank in Hong Kong and how it outsourced its checkbook printing. Through in-depth interviews with experienced security printing and marketing supervisors, customers, and different levels of bank staff, empirical data were collected to reveal the background, challenges, and success of the outsourcing initiative. Empirical findings revealed that the main need of the outsourcing was to make use of the benefits of outsourcing to achieve cost savings and to improve the operational efficiency without placing huge investments in resources. During the vendor selection process, factors of cost, quality of services, financial soundness, reputation, experience, managerial skills, client list, and operational capability were considered. The organizational culture in family-owned organizations makes the management achieve a no worseoff scenario.