Manufacturing back-Reshoring as a nonlinear internationalization process

Purpose The first aim of the paper is to offer a characterisation of back-reshoring as a possible step of the firm’s non-linear internationalisation process. The second aim is to review the empirical literature on back-reshoring and to complement it with the findings of an extensive data collection. Methodology/approach In this paper we adopted an explorative approach building on both theoretical and empirical literature from the fields of International Business and International Operations Management. We also collected secondary data on back-reshoring decisions in order to define the magnitude of the investigated phenomenon and to offer a primary characterization. Findings Our findings confirm that, though it cannot be considered a generalized trend, back-reshoring is a very topical issue for International business scholars. It represents an autonomous phenomenon consistent with the idea of nonlinear internationalization process. Research limitations/implications The paper is based on cross-sectional data. Longitudinal research is required in order to address the proposed research questions and help understanding “how much” and what kind of manufacturing will be housed in western countries in the near future. Originality/value of paper This is the first attempt to conceptualize back-reshoring as a possible step of the firms’ internationalization process. It is also the first paper that summarizes and discusses the literature and empirical evidence on back-reshoring emerging from a wide range of countries.