Abstract
This study aims to develop a framework for reshoring research, specifying the aspects encompassing a full case description. The article reports an analysis of existing case-based research focusing on manufacturing reshoring and the previous offshoring events, with the aim to advance the knowledge within the field through an accumulation process. The selected methodology to achieve this purpose is meta-synthesis, a type of meta-analysis applied to the analysis of qualitative data. The analyzed data are retrieved from a sample of 14 articles including cases of offshoring and subsequent reshoring processes. The sample represent the total population of articles published in peer-reviewed sources. By focusing on the analysis on the article level and the findings generated by the original authors, the study allowed to build a comprehensive framework to lead future reshoring research, as well as to demonstrate the suitability of the methodology in achieving knowledge accumulation even if the articles have different characteristics in terms of theoretical perspectives, unit of analysis, number of cases and context. In doing so, this study contributes to the field of reshoring and more widely to the operations and supply chain management field. Furthermore, this research generates many practical implications, by condensing all the evidences about manufacturing reshoring so far collected in one single study, thus providing examples of challenges and best-practices.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
Data are not provided, but the methodology thoroughly describes how to collect the same data.
References
Albertoni F, Elia S, Massini S, Piscitello L (2017) The reshoring of business services: reaction to failure or persistent strategy? J World Bus 52:417–430. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwb.2017.01.005
Ancarani A, Di Mauro C, Fratocchi L et al (2015) Prior to reshoring: a duration analysis of foreign manufacturing ventures. Int J Prod Econ 169:141–155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2015.07.031
Antelo M, Bru L (2010) Outsourcing or restructuring: the dynamic choice. Int J Prod Econ 123:1–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2009.07.004
Bals L, Kirchoff JF, Foerstl K (2016) Exploring the reshoring and insourcing decision making process: toward an agenda for future research. Oper Manag Res 9:102–116. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12063-016-0113-0
Baraldi E, Ciabuschi F, Lindahl O, Fratocchi L (2018) A network perspective on the reshoring process: the relevance of the home- and the host-country contexts. Ind Mark Manag 70:156–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2017.08.016
Barbieri P, Ciabuschi F, Fratocchi L, Vignoli M (2018) What do we know about manufacturing reshoring? J Glob Oper Strateg Sourc 11:79–122. https://doi.org/10.1108/JGOSS-02-2017-0004
Barbieri P, Elia S, Fratocchi L, Golini R (2019) Relocation of second degree: moving towards a new place or returning home? J Purch Supply Manag 25
Barratt M, Choi TY, Li M (2011) Qualitative case studies in operations management: trends, research outcomes, and future research implications. J Oper Manag 29:329–342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jom.2010.06.002
Benstead AV, Stevenson M, Hendry LC (2017) Why and how do firms reshore? A contingency-based conceptual framework. Oper Manag Res 10:85–103. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12063-017-0124-5
Boffelli A, Golini R, Orzes G, Dotti S (2018) “How to Reshore”: some evidence from the apparel industry. IEEE Eng Manag Rev. https://doi.org/10.1109/EMR.2018.2886183
Bunyaratavej K, Hahn ED, Doh JP (2007) International offshoring of services: a parity study. J Int Manag 13:7–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intman.2006.05.002
Cao Z, Lumineau F (2015) Revisiting the interplay between contractual and relational governance: a qualitative and meta-analytic investigation. J Oper Manag 33–34:15–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jom.2014.09.009
Combs JG, Russell Crook T, Rauch A (2019) Meta-analytic research in management: contemporary approaches, unresolved controversies, and rising standards. J Manag Stud 56:1–18. https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12427
Dalton DR, Dalton CM (2008) Meta-analyses: some very good steps toward a bit longer journey. Organ Res Methods 11:127–147. https://doi.org/10.1177/1094428107304409
Di Mauro C, Fratocchi L, Orzes G, Sartor M (2018) Offshoring and backshoring: a multiple case study analysis. J Purch Supply Manag 24:108–134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pursup.2017.07.003
Durach CF, Kembro J, Wieland A (2017) A new paradigm for systematic literature reviews in supply chain management. J Supply Chain Manag 53:67–85. https://doi.org/10.1111/jscm.12145
Eisenhardt KM (1989) Building theories from case study research. Acad Manag Rev 14:532–550. https://doi.org/10.5465/AMR.1989.4308385
Ellram LM, Tate WL, Petersen KJ (2013) Offshoring and reshoring: an update on the manufacturing location decision. J Supply Chain Manag 49:14–22. https://doi.org/10.1111/jscm.12019
Engström G, Sollander K, Hilletofth P, Eriksson D (2018) Reshoring drivers and barriers in the Swedish manufacturing industry. J Glob Oper Strateg Sourc 11:174–201. https://doi.org/10.1108/JGOSS-06-2017-0014
Foerstl K, Kirchoff JF, Bals L (2016) Reshoring and insourcing: drivers and future research directions. Int J Phys Distrib Logist Manag 46:492–515. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPDLM-02-2015-0045
Fratocchi L, Di Mauro C, Barbieri P et al (2014) When manufacturing moves back: concepts and questions. J Purch Supply Manag 20:54–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pursup.2014.01.004
Fratocchi L, Ancarani A, Barbieri P et al (2016) Motivations of manufacturing reshoring: an interpretative framework. Int J Phys Distrib Logist Manag 46:98–127. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPDLM-06-2014-0131
Goldsby TJ, Autry CW (2011) Toward greater validation of supply chain management theory and concepts: the roles of research replication and meta-analysis. J Bus Logist 32:324–331. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0000-0000.2011.01028.x
Gray JV, Skowronski K, Esenduran G, Rungtusanatham MJ (2013) The reshoring phenomenon: what supply chain academics ought to know and should do. J Supply Chain Manag 49:27–33. https://doi.org/10.1111/jscm.12012
Gray JV, Esenduran G, Rungtusanatham MJ, Skowronski K (2017) Why in the world did they reshore? Examining small to medium-sized manufacturer decisions. J Oper Manag 49–51:37–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jom.2017.01.001
Gylling M, Heikkilä J, Jussila K, Saarinen M (2015) Making decisions on offshore outsourcing and backshoring: a case study in the bicycle industry. Int J Prod Econ 162:92–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2015.01.006
Habersang S, Küberling-Jost J, Reihlen M, Seckler C (2019) A process perspective on organizational failure: a qualitative meta-analysis. J Manag Stud 56:19–56. https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12341
Hartman PL, Ogden JA, Wirthlin JR, Hazen BT (2017) Nearshoring, reshoring, and insourcing: moving beyond the total cost of ownership conversation. Bus Horiz 60:363–373. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2017.01.008
Hoon C (2013) Meta-synthesis of qualitative case studies: an approach to theory building. Organ Res Methods 16:522–556. https://doi.org/10.1177/1094428113484969
Jahns C, Hartmann E, Bals L (2006) Offshoring: dimensions and diffusion of a new business concept. J Purch Supply Manag 12:218–231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pursup.2006.10.001
Jain NK, Kothari T, Kumar V (2016) Location choice research: proposing new agenda. Manag Int Rev 56:303–324. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11575-015-0271-6
Jensen PDØ, Pedersen T (2012) Offshoring and international competitiveness: antecedents of offshoring advanced tasks. J Acad Mark Sci 40:313–328. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-011-0286-x
Johansson M, Olhager J (2018a) Comparing offshoring and backshoring: the role of manufacturing site location factors and their impact on post-relocation performance. Int J Prod Econ 205:37–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2018.08.027
Johansson M, Olhager J (2018b) Manufacturing relocation through offshoring and backshoring: the case of Sweden. J Manuf Technol Manag 29:637–657. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-01-2017-0006
Johansson M, Olhager J, Heikkilä J, Stentoft J (2019) Offshoring versus backshoring: empirically derived bundles of relocation drivers, and their relationship with benefits. J Purch supply Manag 25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pursup.2018.07.003
Joubioux C, Vanpoucke E (2016) Towards right-shoring: a framework for off-and re-shoring decision making. Oper Manag Res 9:117–132. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12063-016-0115-y
Kepes S, Banks GC, McDaniel M, Whetzel DL (2012) Publication Bias in the organizational sciences. Organ Res Methods 15:624–662. https://doi.org/10.1177/1094428112452760
Kinkel S (2014) Future and impact of backshoring-some conclusions from 15 years of research on German practices. J Purch Supply Manag 20:63–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pursup.2014.01.005
Kinkel S, Maloca S (2009) Drivers and antecedents of manufacturing offshoring and backshoring-a German perspective. J Purch Supply Manag 15:154–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pursup.2009.05.007
Kotabe M, Mol MJ, Ketkar S (2008) An evolutionary stage model of outsourcing and competence destruction: a triad comparison of the consumer electronics industry. Manag Int Rev 48:65–94. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11575-008-0004-1
Larsson R (1993) Case survey methodology : quantitative analysis of patterns across case studies. Acad Manag J 36:1515–1546
Lewis MW (1998) Iterative triangulation: a theory development process using existing case studies. J Oper Manag 16:445–469
MacKelprang AW, Nair A (2010) Relationship between just-in-time manufacturing practices and performance: a meta-analytic investigation. J Oper Manag 28:283–302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jom.2009.10.002
Martínez-Mora C, Merino F (2014) Offshoring in the Spanish footwear industry: a return journey? J Purch Supply Manag 20:225–237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pursup.2014.07.001
Mihalache M, Mihalache OR (2016) A decisional framework of offshoring: integrating insights from 25 years of research to provide direction for future. Decis Sci 47:1103–1149. https://doi.org/10.1111/deci.12206
Miles M, Huberman A (1994) Qualitative data analysis: an expanded sourcebook (2nd ed.)
Mol MJ, van Tulder RJM, Beije PR (2005) Antecedents and performance consequences of international outsourcing. Int Bus Rev 14:599–617. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2005.05.004
Moore ME, Rothenberg L, Moser H (2018) Contingency factors and reshoring drivers in the textile and apparel industry. J Manuf Technol Manag 29:1025–1041. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-07-2017-0150
Nair A (2006) Meta-analysis of the relationship between quality management practices and firm performance-implications for quality management theory development. J Oper Manag 24:948–975. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jom.2005.11.005
Nujen BB, Halse LL (2017) Global shift-back’s: a strategy for reviving manufacturing competences. Breaking up the Global Value Chain, In, pp 245–267
Nujen BB, Halse LL, Damm R, Gammelsæter H (2018a) Managing reversed (global) outsourcing – the role of knowledge, technology and time. J Manuf Technol Manag 29:676–698. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-02-2017-0023
Nujen BB, Mwesiumo DE, Solli-Sæther H et al (2018b) Backshoring readiness. J glob Oper Strateg Sourc JGOSS-05-2018-0020. https://doi.org/10.1108/JGOSS-05-2018-0020
Robinson PK, Hsieh L (2016) Reshoring: a strategic renewal of luxury clothing supply chains. Oper Manag Res 9:89–101. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12063-016-0116-x
Sayem A, Feldmann A, Ortega-Mier M (2018) Investigating the influence of network-manufacturing capabilities to the phenomenon of reshoring: an insight from three case studies. BRQ Bus Res Q:1–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brq.2018.07.001
Seuring S, Gold S (2012) Conducting content-analysis based literature reviews in supply chain management. Supply Chain Manag 17:544–555. https://doi.org/10.1108/13598541211258609
Stentoft J, Mikkelsen OS, Jensen JK (2016a) Flexicurity and relocation of manufacturing. Oper Manag Res 9:133–144. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12063-016-0110-3
Stentoft J, Mikkelsen OS, Jensen JK (2016b) Offshoring and backshoring manufacturing from a supply chain innovation perspective. Supply Chain Forum 17:190–204. https://doi.org/10.1080/16258312.2016.1239465
Stentoft J, Olhager J, Heikkilä J, Thoms L (2016c) Manufacturing backshoring: a systematic literature review. Oper Manag Res 9:53–61. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12063-016-0111-2
Tate WL, Ellram LM, Schoenherr T, Petersen KJ (2014) Global competitive conditions driving the manufacturing location decision. Bus Horiz 57:381–390
Voss C, Tsikriktsis N, Frohlich M (2002) Case research in operations management. Int J Oper Prod Manag 22:195–219. https://doi.org/10.1108/01443570210414329
Voss C, Johnson M, Godsell J (2016) Case research. In: Karlsson C (ed) Research methods for operations management, 2nd Editio. Routledge, London, pp 165–197
Wan L, Orzes G, Sartor M et al (2019) Entry modes in reshoring strategies: an empirical analysis. J Purch Supply Manag 25
White GP (1996) A meta-analysis model of manufacturing capabilities. J Oper Manag 14:315–331
Wiesmann B, Snoei JR, Hilletofth P, Eriksson D (2017) Drivers and barriers to reshoring: a literature review on offshoring in reverse. Eur Bus Rev 29:15–42. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-03-2016-0050
Yin RK (2003) Case study research: design and methods, 3rd edn. Sage publications, Thousand Oaks
Yin RK (2009) Case study research: design and methods. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the fundamental contribution provided by Professors Jan Olhager and Matteo Kalchschmidt, for their availability to discuss and suggest directions at every step of the research. In addition, the authors acknowledge the value of the feedback collected from scholars that attended the presentations of the paper at the 26th EurOMA conference in Helsinki and the 30th AiIG (Italian Association of Management Engineering) conference in Turin. Finally, the authors acknowledge the contribution of the two anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and of the area editor who followed the process.
Code availability
Not applicable.
Funding
The research was not funded by external entities.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
All the authors contributed equally to all the phases of the study development, from study conception and design until writing and revision. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors have no conflicts of interests to disclose.
Additional information
Publisher’s note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Boffelli, A., Johansson, M. What do we want to know about reshoring? Towards a comprehensive framework based on a meta-synthesis. Oper Manag Res 13, 53–69 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12063-020-00155-y
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12063-020-00155-y