Reshoring of Manufacturing (eBook)

Alessandra Vecchi is Assistant Professor in the Department of Management at the University of Bologna in Italy, where she holds a Marie Curie Fellowship. Additionally she holds the position of Senior Research Fellow at London College of Fashion. Besides teaching several subjects, mostly in the field of International Business and Operations Management at postgraduate level, she supervises MA and PhD students in a wide array of Fashion Management-related subjects. She has a significant track of high-profile publications and her research interests tend to be of a multidisciplinary nature and rather eclectic.

Contents 6
Defining the Field of Enquiry 8
1 Manufacturing Reshoring Explained: An Interpretative Framework of Ten Years of Research 9
Abstract 9
1 Introduction 10
2 Methodology 11
3 The Extant Literature 14
3.1 The “What” of Reshoring 14
3.2 The “Who” of Reshoring 17
3.3 The “Why” of Reshoring 18
3.4 The “How” of Reshoring 29
3.5 The “Where” of Reshoring 36
3.6 The “When” of Reshoring 37
4 Concluding Remarks: Where Reshoring Research Stands Now and Where It Might Go 37
References 40
2 Offshoring Versus Reshoring? Rather, Shouldn’t It Be Rightshoring? 44
Abstract 44
1 Introduction 45
2 Literature Background 45
2.1 Offshoring, Reshoring and Rightshoring: A Brief Description 45
2.2 Offshoring and Reshoring as a Location Decision 46
3 Methods 49
4 Empirical Findings 50
4.1 Company A 50
4.2 Company B 51
4.3 Company C 51
4.4 Company D 52
4.5 Company E 52
4.6 Company F 53
4.7 Company G 54
4.8 Company H 55
5 Cross-Case Analysis 55
6 Conclusions 57
References 59
3 Complementing the Reshoring of Manufacturing Activities: The Relocation of Business Functions 62
Abstract 62
1 Introduction 62
2 The Reshoring Drivers, Opportunities and Challenges 64
3 Methodology: Evidence from the ORN Survey 66
3.1 Descriptive Statistics 66
4 Concluding Remarks 77
References 79
Enablers and Drivers 81
4 Knowledge Transfer in Reshoring 82
Abstract 82
1 Introduction 82
2 Literature Review 83
2.1 Reshoring 83
2.2 Knowledge Transfer 84
2.3 Knowledge Transfer Factors 86
2.4 Organizational Factors 86
2.5 Interpersonal Factors 86
2.6 Knowledge Transfer in Reshoring 88
2.7 Challenges of Knowledge Transfer in Reshoring 89
3 Method 90
4 Empirical Data 91
4.1 Offshoring and Reshoring Background—Company A 91
4.2 Offshoring and Reshoring Background—Company B 93
4.3 Offshoring and Reshoring Background—Company C 95
5 Analysis 96
6 Study Contributions 98
References 99
5 Is 3D Printing an Enabling Technology for Manufacturing Reshoring? 102
Abstract 102
1 Introduction 102
2 Literature Review 104
2.1 Manufacturing Reshoring 104
2.2 Additive Manufacturing 105
2.3 Additive Manufacturing Technologies and the Supply Chain 109
3 Methodology 111
4 Results 115
5 Conclusion 123
References 124
6 Blockchain and Sensor-Based Reputation Enforcement for the Support of the Reshoring of Business Activities 128
Abstract 128
1 Introduction 129
2 Architecture 132
2.1 Real-Time Assessment 132
2.2 Accessibility to Reliable Information 133
2.3 Enforcing Participatory Trust and Reliability 134
3 Methods 136
4 Use Cases 137
4.1 Organic Farming 137
4.2 Made in Italy 138
4.3 A Practical Cheating Example 138
5 Conclusion 139
References 140
Emblematic Evidence 143
7 Reshoring Strategy: Case Illustrations of Japanese Manufacturing Firms 144
Abstract 144
1 Introduction 145
2 Literature Review 145
3 Case Selection Process 150
4 Finding of Case Studies 151
4.1 Case of Air Conditioner Firm 151
4.1.1 An Overview of Toyotomy Corporation 151
4.1.2 Air Conditioners for Global Market 152
4.1.3 Learning Outcomes Through Strategic Alliance with Konsaku Corporation 153
4.1.4 Reshoring Strategy 154
4.2 Health Care Firm Case 156
4.2.1 An Overview of Ohashi Corporation: A Healthcare Firm 156
4.2.2 Ohashi Corporation’s Production System Reform 157
4.2.3 Reshoring Strategy of Ohashi Corporation 158
5 Discussion 159
6 Conclusion 159
References 160
8 The Chinese Bittersweet Cake in Orbea’s Internationalization 163
Abstract 163
1 Introduction 164
2 Literature Review 164
2.1 Going International: Motivations, Location and Mode 164
2.2 Offshoring and Reshoring 166
3 The Bicycle Sector 168
3.1 Definition of the Sector 168
3.2 The Firm Orbea and Its Internationalization 170
4 Methodology and Data 171
5 Analysis and Discussion 171
5.1 Going to China 171
5.2 The Offshoring Strategy 173
5.3 The Bittersweet Experience 175
6 Conclusions 178
References 179
9 Country of Origin: Reshoring Implication in the Context of the UK Fashion Industry 182
Abstract 182
1 Introduction 183
2 Literature Review: Setting the Scene—The Changing Roles of Retail and Manufacturer Brands in the UK Fashion Industry 183
2.1 Country of Origin Historical Overview 185
2.2 Dimensions of Country of Origin 186
2.2.1 Country of Manufacture 187
2.2.2 Country of Design 188
2.2.3 Country of Parts 189
2.2.4 Country of Brand Origin 190
3 Methodology 191
4 Findings: Country of Origin Implications for Re-Shoring 192
4.1 Country of Manufacture: Implications for Re-Shoring 193
4.2 Country of Design: Implications on Re-Shoring 194
4.3 Country of Parts: Implications for Reshoring 194
4.4 Country of Brand Origin—Implications of Re-Shoring 195
5 Conclusion 195
5.1 Managerial Implications 197
5.2 Limitations 197
5.3 Future Research Direction 198
References 198
10 Reshoring: A Stage in Economic Development or a False Patriotic Tune? The Case of the Polish Apparel and Footwear Industry 201
Abstract 201
1 Introduction 201
2 Theoretical Background 203
2.1 Is Reshoring a Return to Home? 203
2.2 Drivers of Reshoring 204
2.3 Political Resonance of Reshoring 205
2.4 The Characteristics of the Global Apparel Industry 208
2.5 Customer Perception of the Value Chain and Its Impact on Reshoring Activities 211
3 Method 213
4 Findings, Discussion 214
4.1 The Evolution of the Polish Apparel Industry and the Emergence of Reshoring and Near-Reshoring—Statistical Analysis and Anecdotal Evidence from the News 214
4.2 E-Survey Results Amongst Companies in the Polish Apparel Industry 219
4.3 Questionnaire Amongst Consumers in Poland 223
5 Conclusions 227
5.1 Managerial Implications 228
5.2 Limitations and Further Research Ares 229
References 230