Leading sourcing adviser joins forces with Chinese research and consulting firm to advise sourcing parks, local governments on adopting global standards.

TPI, an Information Services Group company and the largest sourcing data and advisory firm in the world, today announced the formation of a partnership with Devott, a well-known Chinese outsourcing research and consulting firm, to encourage sourcing parks and local governments across China to adopt global standards and best practices.

TPI and Devott have created Sourcing International Operational Protocols, a program designed to help attract more leading service providers to the region and make buyers more confident about outsourcing services to China. The program consists of an in-depth review of the current outsourcing environment, the development of improvement plans, and an online self-assessment.

The self-assessment will be available on the popular ChinaSourcing portal (www.chnsourcing.com) beginning next month. The firms will also jointly publish an Annual Global Best Sourcing Parks report, an in-depth study highlighting best practices and services around the world. The 2011 report will focus on China.

“TPI is excited to contribute our sourcing expertise and knowledge of both the Chinese and global sourcing markets to this partnership,” Michael Rehkopf, Partner & Director, North Asia, TPI. “This partnership will build on our success establishing sourcing protocols with the Chinese central government and local governments since 2009. Together with Devott, we look forward to helping China develop into a thriving destination for outsourcing.”

The Chinese market bears similarities to where India was ten years ago, before it began its rise to a major player in the global sourcing industry. China’s large, underpenetrated domestic market, growing scale and experience, and potential buyer in the government present opportunities for significant future growth. Global trends such as the increased prevalence of offshore delivery and multi-sourcing could also serve as catalysts.

“For China to become a prime location for sourcing service providers from around the globe, market participants here must follow international protocols,” said Haitao Qi, CEO of Devott. “We are partnering with TPI because it shares our commitment to helping improve the sourcing environment in China for both the sell side and the buy side of the industry.”