Answer
The quantitative factor that would influence my decision on whether to continue making a component part or begin buying the part from an overseas supplier would be the potential cost savings from buying the part rather than making it. The qualitative factor would focus on broader issues such as strategy, risks, and corporate social responsibility.
Work Step by Step
Both quantitative factors and qualitative factors are important in decision making. Sometimes, the company may have to abandon its profits for the sake of protecting its qualitative factors such as strategy and corporate social responsibility. The saving of cost from outsourcing may have to be forgone if the parts supplied are of bad quality. It's better to manufacture the parts for the sake of company's qualitative requirements. Otherwise, the products from low-quality parts will also be low-quality and the company may lose customers in the long-term.
