Sourcing from China: A Literature Review of Motivations, Outcomes, Problems, and Solutions

Today’s fast changing environment and increasing customers’ demands require that companies focus on efficiency along the entire supply chain. In order to achieve competitiveness, global sourcing is a common strategy. Especially sourcing from China is an accustomed practice and the topic of discussion by various academics and practitioners. Even though this topic is discussed extensively in literature, little focus is put on motivations, outcomes, problems and solutions when sourcing from China. The purpose of this study is to explore and analyze sourcing from China sourcing with regard to motivations, achieved outcomes, experienced problems as well as solutions to the problems. The results showed that it is crucial to recognize the importance of problems that can occur during global sourcing processes. As to achieve the desired outcomes, it is vital that companies address the problems by developing appropriate solutions. Motivations, outcomes, problems and solutions contain essential aspects that have to be considered and worked upon during a global sourcing process.