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Global sourcing strategy and structure: towards a conceptual framework

Fu Jia (Business School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK)
Guido Orzes (Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy)
Marco Sartor (Polytechnic Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Udine, Udine, Italy)
Guido Nassimbeni (Polytechnic Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Udine, Udine, Italy)

International Journal of Operations & Production Management

ISSN: 0144-3577

Article publication date: 3 July 2017

5208

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a synthesised conceptual framework for global sourcing (GS) strategy and structure.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopt a systematic literature review method and analyse through content analysis techniques 52 peer-reviewed journal articles focussed on GS strategy and structure. Based on these analyses, a conceptual model is developed.

Findings

A synthesised construct of GS strategy, consisting of three dimensions, i.e., supply internationalisation, internal integration and external integration, is proposed. The GS structure construct is further broken down into structural design and control and coordination, consisting of three dimensions for each. Propositions for GS strategy, GS structure and, in particular, the relationships between them are developed for future empirical validation.

Originality/value

This is the first study which synthesises various dimensions of GS strategy and GS structure and advances/extends the theory of the strategy-structure nexus to a GS context. The conceptual model provides a comprehensive framework for future empirical work and opens avenues of research on this topic.

Keywords

Citation

Jia, F., Orzes, G., Sartor, M. and Nassimbeni, G. (2017), "Global sourcing strategy and structure: towards a conceptual framework", International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 37 No. 7, pp. 840-864. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-09-2015-0549

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

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