Boom times in offshore outsourcing are set to continue with over three-quarters of large companies increasing their activities, according to research by sourcing advisory company TPI.

The study, based on a survey of 100 senior UK executives responsible for outsourcing within large companies, revealed that 81% planned to increase offshore outsourcing over the next two to three years, while only 4% expected to see operations dip.

Duncan Aitchison, managing director of TPI said: 'Our survey results clearly indicate that there is very little disillusionment with offshore outsourcing. However, there is a general shift towards more sophisticated sourcing strategies as the global sourcing market comes of age.

The research also showed that many companies, while intending to grow offshore operations, were readjusting activities they base offshore. It said that businesses were increasingly taking a global view of sourcing, separating processes out and deciding whether each one would be best based offshore, nearshore or onshore.