What does the term "outsourcing" refer to?

Outsourcing refers to the practice of contracting out specific business functions or processes to third-party providers, which allows companies to focus on their core competencies while leveraging outside expertise or resources. This strategy can enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and provide access to specialized skills without the company having to manage all aspects of production or service delivery internally.

By engaging external parties to handle various functions—such as customer service, accounting, or IT support—businesses can streamline operations and potentially improve service quality. This approach is particularly useful for companies seeking to remain competitive in a global market, where flexibility and cost management are paramount.

The other options encompass different business strategies or concepts that do not align with the definition of outsourcing.