Abstract

This paper will primarily discuss globalization, primarily around the movement of manufacturing in and out of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). This thesis analyzes both qualitative and quantitative data in order to estimate the true motivators for moving manufacturing to China (i.e., offshoring), and reasons why not to move manufacturing to China, or even reasons to move manufacturing back from China (i.e., reshoring). This thesis also considers potential alternative options for countries in the case that a company may be looking to outsource manufacturing but may still want some of the advantages of offshoring their manufacturing. This thesis thus argues that the decision to offshore manufacturing goods to China was made only considering potential short term gains in cost-cutting due to less expensive Chinese labor and resources and the speed at which Chinese manufacturing could begin, but did not consider long-term disadvantages of basing manufacturing in a very distant place, relying on a handful of incredibly busy ports, and relying on manufacturing from a country in a diplomatically difficult position with the United States of America. Instead, a more holistic approach to global supply chain management should be embraced that more seriously considers not only short-term but also long-term advantages and disadvantages to offshoring production to any country, the PRC in particular.

Semester/Year of Award

Spring 2023

Mentor

Dr. James Kirby Easterling

Mentor Department Affiliation

Business

Access Options

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Honors Scholars

Degree Level

Bachelors

Department

Business

Presentation

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1lNVqEbfUeAbZSxZqyvExEqpj8imW6H_gn3cdUhkoD5A/edit?usp=sharing

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