Kate Vitasek

Kate Vitasek (born September 19, 1968) is an American author and educator. Vitasek is a lead researcher at the University of Tennessee. Her research focuses on the Vested business model, sourcing business model theory, relational contracting, and collaborative business relationships. She is an adjunct faculty in the Haslam College of Business Global Supply Chain Institute and the Graduate and Executive Education program at University of Tennessee.

Career

Before joining University of Tennessee, she worked for P&G, Microsoft, Accenture, Stream International, and Modus Media International.

At University of Tennessee, Vitasek researches business models. In 2010, Vitasek and two researchers codified their findings on the Vested business model into a methodology to enable organizations to create collaborative relationships. Vitasek’s work on the Vested business model led to what is known to as Sourcing Business Model theory.

Vitasek has served on the Board of Directors for the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals and the Sourcing Industry Group.

Work

Many of Vitasek's books are about "vested outsourcing." Vested Outsourcing (2010) describes how to outsource business processes or services. The book identifies potential issues in outsourcing and how companies can best work together for a good outsourcing relationship. Hollye Moss, professor at the Western Carolina University, wrote that the book "takes a new approach to the relationship, creating a win-win scenario. It is well-written, easy to read, and thought-provoking."

Booklist wrote that Vested: How P&G, McDonald's Nd Microsoft are Redefining Winning in Business Relationships (2012) was a "lively presentation" by the authors and that it "should appeal to businesspeople willing to take a chance on trust and transparency to produce transformative results."

Vitasek has also done research for the U.S. Air Force on issues relating to contracting logistics and transportation.

Awards and recognition

Vitasek was recognized by The Journal of Commerce as a “Woman on the Move in Trade and Transportation” and as a “Rainmaker” by DC Velocity for her contributions to building the supply chain profession. For her work on Vested, she was named one of Globalization Today’s “Powerhouse 25” outsourcing industry leaders. Other accolades include recognition by Logistics Quarterly and Supply Chain Digest as a “Woman in Supply Chain,” honored as a “Woman of International Influence” by Global Executive Women, and being named on the Global Sourcing Association’s inaugural “A-List.”

Selected works

Books

• Vitasek, Kate; Ledyard, Mike (2013). Vested Outsourcing, Second Edition: Five Rules That Will Transform Outsourcing (2nd ed.). New York: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 1137297190. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
• Vitasek, Kate; et al. (2011). The Vested Outsourcing Manual (1st ed.). New York: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 0230112684. {{cite book}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |first= (help)
• Vitasek, Kate; et al. (2012). Vested: How P&G, McDonald's, and Microsoft are Redefining Winning in Business Relationships (1st ed.). New York: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 0230341705. {{cite book}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |first= (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
• Keith, Bonnie; et al. (2016). Strategic Sourcing in the New Economy: Harnessing the Potential of Sourcing Business Models for Modern Procurement (1st ed.). NewYork: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-1137552181. {{cite book}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |first= (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
• Vitasek, Kate; et al. (2013). Getting to We: Negotiating Agreements for Highly Collaborative Relationships (1st ed.). New York: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-1137297181. {{cite book}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |first= (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
• Vitasek, Kate; et al. (2012). The Vested Way: How a “What’s in it for We” Mindset Revolutionizes Business Relationships (1st ed.). New York: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-0230342101. {{cite book}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |first= (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)