Inclusion of ‘circular principles’ in the activities of the purchasing process from the initial s... more Inclusion of ‘circular principles’ in the activities of the purchasing process from the initial stages to the end of product life can help all actors in the value chain to deliver sustainability goals through an active, cost-effective and accountable approach. Yet, research on this linkage has been virtually nonexistent. This study extends perspectives and theories on purchasing and circular economy business models (CEBMs) for engineer-to-order (ETO) production. Based on a case study, a framework that identifies critical purchasing activities relevant for enhancing the implementation of CEBMs is developed. The framework advocates that engaging in the proposed activities can compel the purchasing function to increase its strategic focus by being proactive and relentless in embracing circularity in its agenda. In addition to accentuating the relevance of purchasing function in ETO production, the framework shows how harnessing it can benefit circular strategies.
Based on in-depth case studies from a high-cost environment, we identify context-specific aspects... more Based on in-depth case studies from a high-cost environment, we identify context-specific aspects as important motivating factors for decision-makers re-evaluating the previous offshoring decisions. This chapter sheds light on the complexity of backshoring motives by adding a meso level, illustrating how case companies’ sourcing decisions evolve alongside the institutional context at a regional level. Further, the chapter provides a deeper understanding of the motives that underlay backshoring decisions and argues that these motivating factors differ from a broader set of drivers that can be found within the existing frameworks of backshoring.
Global businesses base their sourcing operations and manufacturing decisions primarily on financi... more Global businesses base their sourcing operations and manufacturing decisions primarily on financial principles and metrics. What is often disregarded is the strategic value of domestic locations and contextual tacit knowledge. However, recent empirical work on knowledge flows shows that proximity is crucial. The risk of losing knowledge and important competencies developed through generations within companies and value chains needs to be considered when developing a global sourcing strategy. This chapter sheds light on how global shift-backs, through backshoring are seen to affect organizations that are located in a high-cost country. Based on interviews with managers and key personnel within a specific industry, we explore how companies preserve innovative capabilities when considering closing down (captive) offshore centers or when embarking on a backshoring strategy. The implications derived from the case offers valuable insights into how organizational capabilities could be restored when companies bring manufacturing back.
The growing insight among firms to transit towards a more sustainable society requires new or mod... more The growing insight among firms to transit towards a more sustainable society requires new or modified ways of doing business. However, there are few tools developed to help firms incorporate sustainability aspects when endeavoring to design new sustainable business model innovations. In this paper, we explore how the application of TLBMC and the concept of VU can lead to the discovery of uncaptured opportunities and trigger potential changes to the role of retailers along the furniture supply chain.
Global businesses base their sourcing operations and manufacturing decisions primarily on financi... more Global businesses base their sourcing operations and manufacturing decisions primarily on financial principles and metrics. What is often disregarded is the strategic value of domestic locations and contextual tacit knowledge. However, recent empirical work on knowledge flows shows that proximity is crucial. The risk of losing knowledge and important competencies developed through generations within companies and value chains needs to be considered when developing a global sourcing strategy. This chapter sheds light on how global shift-backs, through backshoring are seen to affect organizations that are located in a high-cost country. Based on interviews with managers and key personnel within a specific industry, we explore how companies preserve innovative capabilities when considering closing down (captive) offshore centers or when embarking on a backshoring strategy. The implications derived from the case offers valuable insights into how organizational capabilities could be restored when companies bring manufacturing back.
Drawing on extant literature and eight case firms, this paper explores reputational risk as an es... more Drawing on extant literature and eight case firms, this paper explores reputational risk as an essential factor in selecting offshore locations. By categorizing and aggregating insights from the empirical data and the relevant literature, the paper identifies country reputational risk as a factor determining the firm’s propensity to exclude specific offshore locations. However, its effect is contingent upon managers’ interpretation of the critical elements of the business environment in a particular country. Thus, the study contributes by demystifying the role of ‘managerial inputs’, which are often neglected within international sourcing literature. Further, reputational risk is delineated as a higher-order construct comprised of three lower-order constructs: unethical practices, institutional weakness, and quality concerns. Our findings distinguish reputational risk from the CSR framework because the dimensions of reputational risk identified in this study transcend beyond the gov...
Inclusion of ‘circular principles’ in the activities of the purchasing process from the initial s... more Inclusion of ‘circular principles’ in the activities of the purchasing process from the initial stages to the end of product life can help all actors in the value chain to deliver sustainability goals through an active, cost-effective and accountable approach. Yet, research on this linkage has been virtually nonexistent. This study extends perspectives and theories on purchasing and circular economy business models (CEBMs) for engineer-to-order (ETO) production. Based on a case study, a framework that identifies critical purchasing activities relevant for enhancing the implementation of CEBMs is developed. The framework advocates that engaging in the proposed activities can compel the purchasing function to increase its strategic focus by being proactive and relentless in embracing circularity in its agenda. In addition to accentuating the relevance of purchasing function in ETO production, the framework shows how harnessing it can benefit circular strategies.
Based on in-depth case studies from a high-cost environment, we identify context-specific aspects... more Based on in-depth case studies from a high-cost environment, we identify context-specific aspects as important motivating factors for decision-makers re-evaluating the previous offshoring decisions. This chapter sheds light on the complexity of backshoring motives by adding a meso level, illustrating how case companies’ sourcing decisions evolve alongside the institutional context at a regional level. Further, the chapter provides a deeper understanding of the motives that underlay backshoring decisions and argues that these motivating factors differ from a broader set of drivers that can be found within the existing frameworks of backshoring.
Global businesses base their sourcing operations and manufacturing decisions primarily on financi... more Global businesses base their sourcing operations and manufacturing decisions primarily on financial principles and metrics. What is often disregarded is the strategic value of domestic locations and contextual tacit knowledge. However, recent empirical work on knowledge flows shows that proximity is crucial. The risk of losing knowledge and important competencies developed through generations within companies and value chains needs to be considered when developing a global sourcing strategy. This chapter sheds light on how global shift-backs, through backshoring are seen to affect organizations that are located in a high-cost country. Based on interviews with managers and key personnel within a specific industry, we explore how companies preserve innovative capabilities when considering closing down (captive) offshore centers or when embarking on a backshoring strategy. The implications derived from the case offers valuable insights into how organizational capabilities could be restored when companies bring manufacturing back.
The growing insight among firms to transit towards a more sustainable society requires new or mod... more The growing insight among firms to transit towards a more sustainable society requires new or modified ways of doing business. However, there are few tools developed to help firms incorporate sustainability aspects when endeavoring to design new sustainable business model innovations. In this paper, we explore how the application of TLBMC and the concept of VU can lead to the discovery of uncaptured opportunities and trigger potential changes to the role of retailers along the furniture supply chain.
Global businesses base their sourcing operations and manufacturing decisions primarily on financi... more Global businesses base their sourcing operations and manufacturing decisions primarily on financial principles and metrics. What is often disregarded is the strategic value of domestic locations and contextual tacit knowledge. However, recent empirical work on knowledge flows shows that proximity is crucial. The risk of losing knowledge and important competencies developed through generations within companies and value chains needs to be considered when developing a global sourcing strategy. This chapter sheds light on how global shift-backs, through backshoring are seen to affect organizations that are located in a high-cost country. Based on interviews with managers and key personnel within a specific industry, we explore how companies preserve innovative capabilities when considering closing down (captive) offshore centers or when embarking on a backshoring strategy. The implications derived from the case offers valuable insights into how organizational capabilities could be restored when companies bring manufacturing back.
Drawing on extant literature and eight case firms, this paper explores reputational risk as an es... more Drawing on extant literature and eight case firms, this paper explores reputational risk as an essential factor in selecting offshore locations. By categorizing and aggregating insights from the empirical data and the relevant literature, the paper identifies country reputational risk as a factor determining the firm’s propensity to exclude specific offshore locations. However, its effect is contingent upon managers’ interpretation of the critical elements of the business environment in a particular country. Thus, the study contributes by demystifying the role of ‘managerial inputs’, which are often neglected within international sourcing literature. Further, reputational risk is delineated as a higher-order construct comprised of three lower-order constructs: unethical practices, institutional weakness, and quality concerns. Our findings distinguish reputational risk from the CSR framework because the dimensions of reputational risk identified in this study transcend beyond the gov...
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Papers by Bella B. Nujen