Exploring performance outcomes of manufacturing reshoring: how does it benefit companies?

Manufacturing reshoring is often promoted as a strategic response to rising global uncertainty. However, empirical evidence on how reshoring affects firm performance over time, and whether realised outcomes differ from initial expectations, remains limited. This study addresses this gap by exploring reshoring performance outcomes through an Eclectic Paradigm (EP)-based four-dimension outcome analysis framework, covering performance impact, expectation alignment and reshoring phases. Based on 16 semi-structured interviews with Swedish manufacturing firms, the findings show that efficiency-related outcomes are most frequently observed, alongside capability-, market- and resource-related outcomes. Reshoring improves profitability, operational flexibility, controllability, product quality and environmental sustainability, but also creates challenges, including implementation delays, inventory build-ups and supplier disruptions. This study introduces a visual outcome model and provides practical guidance for managers evaluating relocation decisions and performance outcomes. It also advances future research on post-implementation reshoring evolution, and how reshoring outcomes emerge and changes over time.