A Startup Firm Has Developed a Prototype for a New-To-The-World

A startup firm has developed a prototype for a new-to-the-world product. The product requires both hardware and software design expertise. The firm has a sufficient number of excellent hardware designers to support the project but needs an entire software design team in order to complete the project on schedule. Given its limited financial resources, the firm is considering outsourcing the software design activity and has identified several suppliers with strong software design capabilities. However, the firm also is concerned about protecting its intellectual property. In addition, other startups are beginning to develop competing products but a dominant design has not emerged and technological uncertainty remains high. What should the firm do? Apply the strategic sourcing framework and content from the chapter to support your answer.