When manufacturing moves back: Concepts and questions

• Differences between back-reshoring and related research concepts are identified.
• Back-reshoring is considered a possible phase of the internationalization process.
• Current evidence on back-reshoring strategies worldwide is summarized.
• Research questions on back-reshoring motivations, modes and locations are proposed.

Interest in back-reshoring strategies – intended as companies׳ decisions to reverse previous off-shoring by bringing manufacturing back home – has gained momentum recently. However, little is known so far about the magnitude of this phenomenon, about its geographical boundaries, and about the underlying motivations.In this paper a characterization of back-shoring as part of the dynamics of firms׳ internationalization strategies is offered. Next, building on emerging empirical evidence, open questions are identified and an agenda for research is proposed.