Supply chain relocation is a popular topic in the scientific literature. It concerns the relocation of manufacturing and other supply chain operations on both a national and international level. On an international level, it is commonly discussed as offshoring or reshoring, but may also involve outsourcing and insourcing. Offshoring has received the greatest attention in both research and practice. It has been a competitive tool, mainly to reduce the cost of labour, but also to gain other benefits, such as market access and economies of scale. Over time, it has become apparent that offshoring is not always successful, and for several reasons companies are now turning to reshoring. Currently, supply chain relocation is high on the agenda for many companies. The topic involves complex decision processes and requires proper risk management. In order to make appropriate decisions, a holistic supply chain view also is needed.
The aim of this special issue will be to generate systematic literature reviews in the field of supply chain relocation. Systematic literature reviews are responsible for integrating a number of research works on the same topic, summarizing the common elements, contrasting the differences and extending the work in some fashion (Meredith, 1993; Seuring & Müller, 2008). Trough robust and structured methodologies the goal is to set an agenda for future research on important supply chain relocation topics. Accordingly, we are looking for submissions that identify new gaps in the literature, raise new research questions, and develop propositions for further research. We are also looking for submissions that review contemporary topics.
Suitable topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Supply chain management in a strategic context
- Global supply chain design
- Supply chain network (e.g., manufacturing, distribution, transportation)
- Manufacturing footprint design
- Manufacturing and supply chain strategy
- Relocation strategies (e.g., offshoring, reshoring, outsourcing, insourcing, nearshoring)
- Relocation processes (e.g., feasibility, realisation, drivers, enablers, barriers, outcomes)
- Relocation decisions (e.g., criteria, evaluation, investment/cost/risk assessment)
- Vertical integration
- Make or buy decisions
- Experience and best practices of relocation decisions
- New technology in relocation decisions (e.g. Industry 4.0, additive manufacturing)
- Sustainability issues in relocation decisions
- Supplier selection, evaluation, and relations
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