INTERNATIONAL RETAIL SOURCING - TREND, NATURE, AND PROCESS

Despite substantial research on international sourcing by manufacturer s and the rapid development of international sourcing channels by reta ilers, both conceptual and empirical studies on international retail s ourcing have been few and far between. This article examines current t rends of international retail sourcing and draws distinctions between international sourcing by manufacturers and international sourcing by retailers. Drawing upon the disciplines of business strategy, economic s, and organizational behavior, it develops a framework for internatio nal retail sourcing that links the context, international sourcing str ategy, and performance. Based on the literature and in-depth case stud y interviews, a model of the international retail sourcing process is offered. Implications for researchers and retailers are discussed.