Movement of operations out of the main plant/ production process to subsidiary companies and contractors who offer flexible workforces and cheaper and more efficient delivery (especially when outsourcing becomes global). A profitmaking strategy within the corporate world since the 1970s, both smaller and larger corporations farm out communications, computer/systems management and even planning rather than doing them in-house. Governments have used outsourcing to meet new service needs since the 1960s, including mundane tasks like waste collection and towing, as well as administrative functions like printing and even social services including ambulances or drug treatment. Its human costs in career and corporate community underscore the transformation of the US economy towards services and consumption.