Maazouz, Laila (2022) Reshoring Process of Manufacturing Process in the UK: An Emergent Theory Perspective. Doctoral thesis, University of Wales Trinity St David.
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1948 Maazouz, Laila (2022) DBA Reshoring Process for Manufacturing Ventures in the UK.pdf - Accepted Version Available under License CC-BY-NC-ND Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (12MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this research is to examine the reshoring process by shedding light on the drivers, barriers, decision-making and implementation phase. Current theoretical explanations of reshoring have not adequately considered the dynamics of the phenomenon. This research aim is to theoretically explain reshoring through the perspective of the emergent theory that takes into consideration the dynamic environment in which the reshoring process occurs. Practically, the research aim is to provide a conceptual framework that includes information about the reshoring steps and decision-making, and how to apply each step in a dynamic environment. This conceptual framework’s main purpose is to assist and support reshoring managerial decisions to relocate back to the UK successfully by adopting a flexible approach consistent with the dynamic environment. Design/methodology/approach – The research deploys mixed methods. The quantitative research was conducted using a survey that obtained 113 complete responses from UK reshored manufacturing. The qualitative research collected data from 10 interviewees through semi-structured in-depth interviews. The quantitative data was analysed using SPSS26 and descriptive statistics. The qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis and NVIVO. Findings – The findings of the research suggest that reshoring drivers, barriers, decision-making and implementation is a dynamic process. The drivers and barriers emerge from the business environment unpredictability, and therefore should be identified based on a flexible reshoring approach, which is able to consider, add, and eliminate factors accordingly with the environmental uncertainties. The decision-making and implementation process emerges from the dynamic drivers and barriers and occurs in an unpredictable environment. This makes the decision making- phases highly dynamic. Thus, this research proposes this phase should be based on a flexible approach characterised by a looping process, not sequential (Mintzberg et al., 1976). Contribution – First, the research sheds light on the dynamics of the reshoring process, and the importance of formulating a reshoring strategy that takes into consideration the uncertainties of the environment. Second, the analysis revealed a UK perspective of the drivers and barriers of reshoring. The study contributes to extending the factors related to the drivers and barriers to a larger set. New findings concerning driver factors are the government support for reshoring, legal issues, and the “made-in-effect”. For the barriers, the study shows novel findings – which are: the lack of availability of factories and lands for manufacturing, legal issues, and psychological challenges. The new findings have been explained and discussed in the context of the UK economy and market. Concerning the decision-making and implementation phase, the study contributes to an in-depth explanation by providing the steps of these phases and by empirically explaining what happens in each phase. Third, this study contributes to forming a theoretical explanation of the reshoring process dynamics based on emergent theory (Mintzberg et al., 1976). The reshoring process, grounded upon emergent theory, is a dynamic phenomenon that requires an emergent strategy. The emergent strategy is characterized by management’s ability to continuously adjust and adapt to environment unpredictibilities and uncertainties (Mintzberg & Waters, 1985). This is done through continuous cycles of decision making until the reshoring is achieved (Mintzberg & Waters, 1985). The strength of this theory is that it considers the risks and opportunities of the environment in which the reshoring occurs (Mintzberg & Waters, 1985). Fourth, this research proposes an empirically and theory-based conceptual framework of the reshoring process to support future decision-makers with their reshoring strategies. This conceptual framework is the first to have the complete phases of reshoring, which are the drivers, barriers, decision-making and implementation. In the conceptual framework, the reshoring process phases are explained through a step-by-step guide to support reshoring decision-makers. Thus, the research contributes to a practical understanding of the process of reshoring through a dynamic lens by explaining each phase and its steps set in an unpredictable environment. Originality/value – The literature is missing a theoretical understanding of the reshoring process. This research provides a theoretical explanation of the reshoring process from a dynamical lens based on the emergent theory. New empirical findings from a UK perspective have been explained and discussed that are important for future reshoring decision-makers. Moreover, the theory-based conceptual framework is the first to include a step-by-step flexible practice approach that includes all the reshoring phases.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
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| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Reshoring, Offshoring, Location decision-making, Manufacturing Relocation, Reshoring drivers, Reshoring barriers, decision-making, emergent theory |
| Subjects: | H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) |
| Divisions: | Theses and Dissertations > Doctoral Theses |
| Depositing User: | Laila Maazouz |
| Date Deposited: | 07 Apr 2022 10:16 |
| Last Modified: | 07 Apr 2022 10:16 |
| URI: | https://repository.uwtsd.ac.uk/id/eprint/1948 |
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