IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/opmare/v16y2023i2d10.1007_s12063-022-00334-z.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Implementing reshoring: insights and principles from a longitudinal case study in the e-bike industry

Author

Listed:
  • Paolo Barbieri

    (University of Bologna)

  • Clio Dosi

    (University of Bologna)

  • Matteo Vignoli

    (University of Bologna)

Abstract

Despite the growing body of literature on firms revising their production offshoring decisions, there is scarce research on how reshoring is actually implemented. This paper responds to this gap by analysing the case of FIVE, an Italian electric bike (e-bike) company that has insourced and relocated its production activities – originally outsourced to a Chinese manufacturer – to its home country. The research combines a design science approach with a longitudinal single case study method to gather both theoretical insights and practical managerial advice on how to conduct the reshoring implementation. The study captures the dynamic nature of the implementation process, showing how its elements evolve over time. Organisational learning emerges as a driving factor of reshoring. Each of the implementation stages is characterised by the development of a specific organisational process, which provides the know-how required for performing tasks at that particular stage. From a practical perspective, the study develops five reshoring implementation principles and a three-stage implementation process, thereby offering valuable guidelines for managers of SMEs who wish to undertake the reshoring decision.

Suggested Citation

  • Paolo Barbieri & Clio Dosi & Matteo Vignoli, 2023. "Implementing reshoring: insights and principles from a longitudinal case study in the e-bike industry," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 555-573, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:opmare:v:16:y:2023:i:2:d:10.1007_s12063-022-00334-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s12063-022-00334-z
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s12063-022-00334-z
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s12063-022-00334-z?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Roza, Marja & Van den Bosch, Frans A.J. & Volberda, Henk W., 2011. "Offshoring strategy: Motives, functions, locations, and governance modes of small, medium-sized and large firms," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 20(3), pages 314-323, June.
    2. Manning, Stephan, 2014. "Mitigate, tolerate or relocate? Offshoring challenges, strategic imperatives and resource constraints," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 49(4), pages 522-535.
    3. A. Georges L. Romme & Gerard Endenburg, 2006. "Construction Principles and Design Rules in the Case of Circular Design," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 17(2), pages 287-297, April.
    4. Morais, Flávio & Ferreira, João J., 2020. "SME internationalisation process: Key issues and contributions, existing gaps and the future research agenda," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 38(1), pages 62-77.
    5. David Bailey & Lisa De Propris, 2014. "Editor's choice Manufacturing reshoring and its limits: the UK automotive case," Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 7(3), pages 379-395.
    6. Joan E. van Aken, 2004. "Management Research Based on the Paradigm of the Design Sciences: The Quest for Field‐Tested and Grounded Technological Rules," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(2), pages 219-246, March.
    7. Linda Argote & Ella Miron-Spektor, 2011. "Organizational Learning: From Experience to Knowledge," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 22(5), pages 1123-1137, October.
    8. David J. Teece, 2007. "Explicating dynamic capabilities: the nature and microfoundations of (sustainable) enterprise performance," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(13), pages 1319-1350, December.
    9. Jensen, Peter D. Ørberg & Larsen, Marcus M. & Pedersen, Torben, 2013. "The organizational design of offshoring: Taking stock and moving forward," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 19(4), pages 315-323.
    10. Albachiara Boffelli & Malin Johansson, 2020. "What do we want to know about reshoring? Towards a comprehensive framework based on a meta-synthesis," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 13(1), pages 53-69, June.
    11. Maurizio Zollo & Sidney G. Winter, 2002. "Deliberate Learning and the Evolution of Dynamic Capabilities," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 13(3), pages 339-351, June.
    12. Lydia Bals & Jon F. Kirchoff & Kai Foerstl, 2016. "Exploring the reshoring and insourcing decision making process: toward an agenda for future research," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 9(3), pages 102-116, December.
    13. Gylling, Michael & Heikkilä, Jussi & Jussila, Kari & Saarinen, Markku, 2015. "Making decisions on offshore outsourcing and backshoring: A case study in the bicycle industry," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 92-100.
    14. Holweg, Matthias & Reichhart, Andreas & Hong, Eui, 2011. "On risk and cost in global sourcing," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 131(1), pages 333-341, May.
    15. Stefano Elia & Luciano Fratocchi & Paolo Barbieri & Albachiara Boffelli & Matteo Kalchschmidt, . "Post-pandemic reconfiguration from global to domestic and regional value chains: the role of industrial policies," UNCTAD Transnational Corporations Journal, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
    16. Schmeisser, Bjoern, 2013. "A Systematic Review of Literature on Offshoring of Value Chain Activities," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 19(4), pages 390-406.
    17. David L. Levy, 2005. "Offshoring in the New Global Political Economy," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 42(3), pages 685-693, May.
    18. Farok J. Contractor & Vikas Kumar & Sumit K. Kundu & Torben Pedersen, 2010. "Reconceptualizing the Firm in a World of Outsourcing and Offshoring: The Organizational and Geographical Relocation of High‐Value Company Functions," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(8), pages 1417-1433, December.
    19. van Burg, E. & Gilsing, V.A. & Reymen, I.M.M.J. & Romme, A.G.L., 2008. "Creating university spin-offs : A science-based design perspective," Other publications TiSEM ed13609d-fde4-43dc-ba8a-d, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    20. Claire Joubioux & Evelyne Vanpoucke, 2016. "Towards right-shoring: a framework for off-and re-shoring decision making," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 9(3), pages 117-132, December.
    21. repec:bla:jomstd:v:47:y:2010:i:s2:p:1417-1433 is not listed on IDEAS
    22. Amy V. Benstead & Mark Stevenson & Linda C. Hendry, 2017. "Why and how do firms reshore? A contingency-based conceptual framework," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 10(3), pages 85-103, December.
    23. repec:bla:jomstd:v:47:y:2010:i:s2:p:1510-1533 is not listed on IDEAS
    24. Dante Di Gregorio & Martina Musteen & Douglas E Thomas, 2009. "Offshore outsourcing as a source of international competitiveness for SMEs," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 40(6), pages 969-988, August.
    25. Ram Mudambi & Markus Venzin, 2010. "The Strategic Nexus of Offshoring and Outsourcing Decisions," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(8), pages 1510-1533, December.
    26. Paolo Barbieri & Albachiara Boffelli & Stefano Elia & Luciano Fratocchi & Matteo Kalchschmidt & Danny Samson, 2020. "What can we learn about reshoring after Covid-19?," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 13(3), pages 131-136, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Niccolò Pisani & Joan Enric Ricart, 2016. "Offshoring of Services: A Review of the Literature and Organizing Framework," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 56(3), pages 385-424, June.
    2. McIvor, Ronan & Bals, Lydia, 2021. "A multi-theory framework for understanding the reshoring decision," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(6).
    3. Movin Sequeira & Anders Adlemo & Per Hilletofth, 2023. "A hybrid fuzzy-AHP-TOPSIS model for evaluation of manufacturing relocation decisions," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 164-191, March.
    4. Mukherjee, Debmalya & Kumar, Satish & Pandey, Nitesh & Lahiri, Somnath, 2023. "Is offshoring dead? A multidisciplinary review and future directions," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 29(3).
    5. Amy V. Benstead & Mark Stevenson & Linda C. Hendry, 2017. "Why and how do firms reshore? A contingency-based conceptual framework," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 10(3), pages 85-103, December.
    6. Fernando Merino & Cristina Di Stefano & Luciano Fratocchi, 2021. "Back-shoring vs near-shoring: a comparative exploratory study in the footwear industry," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 17-37, June.
    7. Bart Kamp & Juan José Gibaja, 2021. "Adoption of digital technologies and backshoring decisions: is there a link?," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 14(3), pages 380-402, December.
    8. Baier, Elisabeth & Rammer, Christian & Schubert, Torben, 2015. "The Impact of Captive Innovation Offshoring on the Effectiveness of Organizational Adaptation," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 21(2), pages 150-165.
    9. Barbieri, Paolo & Boffelli, Albachiara & Elia, Stefano & Fratocchi, Luciano & Kalchschmidt, Matteo, 2022. "How does Industry 4.0 affect international exposure? The interplay between firm innovation and home-country policies in post-offshoring relocation decisions," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(4).
    10. Henkel, Malin & Boffelli, Albachiara & Olhager, Jan & Kalchschmidt, Matteo, 2022. "A case survey of offshoring–backshoring cases: The influence of contingency factors," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 253(C).
    11. Nidthida Lin, 2020. "Designing Global Sourcing Strategy for Cost Savings and Innovation: A Configurational Approach," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 60(5), pages 723-753, October.
    12. Luciano Fratocchi & Julia Mayer, 2023. "The impact of environmental and social sustainability on the reshoring decision making and implementation process: insights from the bicycle industry," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 574-593, June.
    13. Godfrey Mugurusi & Lydia Bals, 2017. "A processual analysis of the purchasing and supply organization in transition: the impact of offshoring," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 64-83, June.
    14. Thakur-Wernz, Pooja & Bruyaka, Olga & Contractor, Farok, 2020. "Antecedents and relative performance of sourcing choices for new product development projects," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 90.
    15. Weifeng Zhai & Shiling Sun & Guangxing Zhang, 2016. "Reshoring of American manufacturing companies from China," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 9(3), pages 62-74, December.
    16. Baier , Elisabeth & Rammer , Christian & Schubert , Torben, 2013. "The Impact of Innovation Off-shoring on Organizational Adaptability," Papers in Innovation Studies 2013/44, Lund University, CIRCLE - Centre for Innovation Research.
    17. Stentoft, Jan & Mikkelsen, Ole Stegmann & Jensen, Jesper Kronborg & Rajkumar, Christopher, 2018. "Performance outcomes of offshoring, backshoring and staying at home manufacturing," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 199(C), pages 199-208.
    18. Di Mauro, Carmela & Ancarani, Alessandro, 2022. "A taxonomy of back-shoring initiatives in the US," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(5).
    19. Albachiara Boffelli & Luciano Fratocchi & Matteo Kalchschmidt & Susana Cristina Lima da Costa e Silva, 2021. "Doing the right thing or doing things right: what is better for a successful manufacturing reshoring?," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 1-16, June.
    20. Zimmermann, Angelika & Ravishankar, M.N., 2016. "A systems perspective on offshoring strategy and motivational drivers amongst onshore and offshore employees," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 51(4), pages 548-567.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:opmare:v:16:y:2023:i:2:d:10.1007_s12063-022-00334-z. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.