Global sourcing strategy and structure: Toward an integrated conceptual framework

The strategy-structure nexus has been a mainstream topic in management research. While an increasing number of studies have deepened this issue in general P&SM and in GS context, research is still developing and unified constructs are lacking. Building on a review of GS literature and adapting constructs from organizational theory, we develop a conceptual model of GS strategy and structure. Within the model, a GS strategy construct is advanced, based on three dimensions: supply internationalization, internal integration and external integration. The GS structure construct is broken down into structural design and control/coordination, consisting of three dimensions for each. Some propositions for GS strategy, structure and their relationships are developed.