Gabriella Engström, Kristina Sollander, Per Hilletofth and David Eriksson
The purpose of this study is to explore reshoring drivers and barriers from a Swedish manufacturing perspective.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore reshoring drivers and barriers from a Swedish manufacturing perspective.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is a case study, including four Swedish manufacturing companies, with focus on drivers and barriers from the context of the Swedish manufacturing industry. A literature review of previously established drivers and barriers is used to map out the empirical findings and thereby identify potential gaps between the current body of literature and drivers and barriers from a Swedish manufacturing context.
Findings
The findings of the study suggest that quality issues continue to be one of the strongest reshoring drivers. Except for product quality, quality is also connected to host country’s infrastructure, communication and service. The supply chain perspective is a source of several drivers and is identified as a perspective often overlooked in offshoring decisions. Barriers related to firm specifics were more elaborately discussed by the companies, especially concerning calculation of location decision and the need to invest in resources, which allows for a higher level of capacity at the home country facility.
Research limitations/implications
The study develops a structured table of reshoring drivers and barriers which can serve as a base for future research. Future research on the calculation of location decisions is deemed as a crucial step to further understand reshoring and aid companies in the decision-making process.
Practical implications
The drivers and barriers identified in the study can give practitioners insight into reshoring from the perspective of the Swedish manufacturing industry and thus aid in future manufacturing location decisions. The table of drivers and barriers can also be important to understand how Sweden can strengthen its competitive advantage and motivate more companies to reshore manufacturing.
Originality/value
This is one of only few papers from the Nordic countries and also one of few case studies examining reshoring in manufacturing companies.
Details
Keywords
This paper aims to describe the impact of the labor market on the integration of Africa into the global supply chain (GSC).
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe the impact of the labor market on the integration of Africa into the global supply chain (GSC).
Design/methodology/approach
The analysis of trends and comparison of data for 55 nations and territories in Africa using existing data from the World Bank and International Labor Organization, and government and nongovernment reports took place using qualitative content analysis methodology.
Findings
Africa’s labor market enhances the continent’s integration into the GSC despite challenges in other areas, with three pillars identifying the labor market’s strategic sourcing decisions.
Research limitations/implications
The analysis is limited to trends analysis, some of which may have changed during the study.
Practical implications
The findings will enable the global business industry and governments to envision the potential and design Africa’s labor market competitiveness across the African continent. The findings also establish the necessity and opportunity for enhanced infrastructure to attract additional foreign direct.
Social implications
The social implication of this paper is beyond the potential of Africa’s labor market. The paper illustrates how the African is setting to become the next sourcing hub for the global supply chain, allowing scholars to close any prevailing global sourcing gap in research.
Originality/value
This paper describes the potential of Africa’s supply of low-cost labor market and its integration in the GSC.