Abstract
Reshoring and offshoring have been investigated separately by the literature, undermining a deeper comprehension of the firms’ international expansion paths. Our paper seeks to fill this gap by: identifying common pattern in offshoring and reshoring initiatives; understanding the interdependencies among offshoring and reshoring motivations; and exploring whether reshoring is a “failure” of the offshoring initiative, or rather an evolution of the firm’s strategy. We review literature on offshoring and reshoring motivations and conduct a multiple-case study analysis. This allows us to discuss how the motivations (Why) connect with the How (governance modes), and Where (geographical locations) of offshoring and reshoring.