Global sourcing decision-making process: Evidence from Italian Industrial Districts

In recent years, great attention has been paid to the global sourcing (GS). Indeed, GS has been investigated under several perspectives, such as the main determinants for engaging in GS activities (Steinle & Schiele, 2008; Wang et al., 2011; Quintens et al., 2006; Nassimbeni, 2006; Bozarth et al. 1998), barriers to GS (Nassimbeni, 2006; Wang et al., 2011; Christopher et al., 2011) and the main orientation leading to GS (Samli et al., 1998). Academic literature has paid considerable attention also to GS consequences (Petersen et al., 2000). Other contributions examined firms’ approaches to sourcing abroad (Bozarth et al., 1998; Camuffo et al., 2006; Trent & Monczka, 2003) and development of specific procedures in learning processes (Andersen et al. 2009). Different studies also examined the organizational dimension, such as centralization of GS (Arnold, 1999), organizational mechanisms to manage knowledge flows (Gelderman & Semejin, 2006), set up of international procurement offices (Goh & Lau, 1998). Some contributions also investigated the possible relationship between GS and development of specific supply management competencies (Closs & Mollenkopf, 2004), and between GS and human resources management issues, such as selection of GS managers (Harvey & Richey, 2001). Nevertheless, according to Stanczyk and colleagues (2015), less studies have been focused on the decision-making process as a whole, and in particular on the influences of the behavioral aspects of decision-making, such rationality and politics, on global sourcing decision-making (GSDM) processes. Moreover, very few studies related to SDMPs have been tailored on SMEs belonging to an industrial cluster (Camuffo et al, 2006; Tunisini et al., 2011), as the majority of these have been focused to large/multinational firms (Quintens et al. 2006). Based on the above discussion, this paper aims to fill this gap in the literature analysing how cluster-based small companies are affected by behavioral aspects during global sourcing decision-making (GSDM) processes. In order to achieve this goal, the research focus will examine the behaviour of Italian small companies active in the furniture sector and belonging to industrial district. The research process is in progress. However, to achieve our research objectives, we will adopt a quantitative research method. In detail, we will carry out a quantitative survey of Italian small and mid-size furniture companies. Firms will identified from a list obtained from Aida, a database containing information on about 1 million companies in Italy. However, we will select only firms with the following characteristics: • Headquarters in Italy; • No more than 250 employees, according to the European Union’s SMEs definition. • Producing furniture products; • Belonging to an industrial district; • Contact information available, including an email address, and telephone number. Data will be collected through interviews with internal informants selected among owners, top managers and functional managers with knowledge over international sourcing strategies and practices. Interview material will be complemented by company documents and secondary relevant sources.