Frelsere eller parasitter? Ledermotiver for bruk av IT-konsulenter

Abstract: The high degree of digitalization in Norway depends on external ITconsultants working on internal projects in private firms as well as in public organizations. This is partly because of organizations’ need for key skills, and partly because of the need for the flexibility. The consultants are employed in flexible non-standard employment contracts with their customers, but usually have standard employment contracts with their “real” employer: the consulting firm. While managers in the customer (focal) firms highly appreciate the key competences and flexibility in these arrangements, they are also concerned about losing control of their own strategic choices, due to their own lack of competence. They also worry about how internal budget and decision procedures fuel the use of consultants, on behalf of building internal competencies by recruiting more of their own standard employment sta