Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to examine the
evolution of offshoring over time. The paper employs
qualitative methodology and on the basis of two case
studies of Danish companies, it develops a framework
conceptualizing the stages of offshoring and highlights
the factors driving the transition between these stages.
The framework challenges the linear nature of offshoring
and proposes the existence of ‘the pendulum effect’. The
pendulum effect suggests that the modes of offshoring
(i.e. captive and non-captive) and geographies of
offshoring (i.e. home and abroad) are not static; rather,
they change in the course of the life cycle of offshored
tasks. The findings of the paper advance our
understanding about how and why geography and mode
of offshored tasks may change over time. The main
emphasis is given to the concepts of backshoring and
repatriation of activities that increasingly attract attention
of academia and practitioners. The paper discusses the
possible implications of offshoring in the next era of
Chinese manufacturing and closes with limitations and
possible future extensions of the study.
evolution of offshoring over time. The paper employs
qualitative methodology and on the basis of two case
studies of Danish companies, it develops a framework
conceptualizing the stages of offshoring and highlights
the factors driving the transition between these stages.
The framework challenges the linear nature of offshoring
and proposes the existence of ‘the pendulum effect’. The
pendulum effect suggests that the modes of offshoring
(i.e. captive and non-captive) and geographies of
offshoring (i.e. home and abroad) are not static; rather,
they change in the course of the life cycle of offshored
tasks. The findings of the paper advance our
understanding about how and why geography and mode
of offshored tasks may change over time. The main
emphasis is given to the concepts of backshoring and
repatriation of activities that increasingly attract attention
of academia and practitioners. The paper discusses the
possible implications of offshoring in the next era of
Chinese manufacturing and closes with limitations and
possible future extensions of the study.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings of the Eleventh International Symposium on Global Manufacturing and China |
| Editors | Xiaobo Wu |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Publisher | University of Cambridge |
| Publication date | 5. Sep 2015 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781902546537 |
| Publication status | Published - 5. Sep 2015 |
| Event | The Eleventh International Symposium on Global Manufacturing and China: Beyond Catching-up: The Next Era of Chinese Manufacturing Growth and Innovation - Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China Duration: 5. Sep 2015 → 6. Sep 2015 |
Conference
| Conference | The Eleventh International Symposium on Global Manufacturing and China |
|---|---|
| Location | Zhejiang University |
| Country/Territory | China |
| City | Hangzhou |
| Period | 05/09/2015 → 06/09/2015 |
Bibliographical note
Published by Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, UKPublished and Distributed by
Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge
Mill Lane, Cambridge CB2 1RX, UK
Copyright © 2015 by Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge
First edition 2015
ISBN 9781902546537
Keywords
- Offshoring
- Backshoring
- Case studies
- China