Safe-shoring and resource orchestration for B2B firms in emerging economies

The global economic landscape has witnessed significant disruptions, prompting businesses to reevaluate their internationalization strategies. Safe-shoring, involving strategic realignment to mitigate risks while maintaining competitiveness, is crucial in volatile international markets. Drawing upon the Resource Orchestration Theory (ROT), the research employs a multiple-case research design involving four B2B organizations from an Asian developing country. Findings reveal that market demand, regulatory environments, and strategic objectives significantly influence firms' decisions to adopt safe-shoring practices. Moreover, the study identifies and analyzes trade-offs encountered in resource orchestration, such as those between cost-effectiveness and quality, specialization and control, and short-term gains versus long-term sustainability. The study enriches ROT by identifying and analyzing specific resource-orchestrated capabilities developed by these firms and uncovers trade-offs encountered in their deployment. The empirical evidence contributes to theoretical advancements in understanding resource allocation, strategic decision-making, and risk management in international business, providing valuable insights for practitioners and scholars alike.