Synthesis of the findings
In this paper, we review the literature not global production and distribution networks. We categorize the articles according to research methodology and examine the perspectives that each research methodology can provide. The content shows that different research methodologies provide opportunities for different and complementary perspectives on network design. We find that two areas have reached a maturity stage in terms of research in general: location selection criteria and mathematics modelling. The frequency of key aspects in the literature are location, capacity, and new facility
In summary, we can conclude the following. First, most literature focuses on the manufacturing firm as the focal firm, and its perspective on how to relate to suppliers and customers to improve its operations. Models are concerned with design or reconfiguration of networks, and include aspects such as outsourcing, strategic alliances, consolidation of facilities, and postponement. Second, different research methodologies provide different perspectives on global production and distribution network. Case studies provide insights concerning new aspects and relationships eg. how collaboration with LSP can improve overall performance. Conceptual modelling develops generalizable models that can guide decision makers in different situations; e.g. that networks need to be designed differently for different products, customer types, or some other contingency factor. Surveys provide empirical evidence of significant relationships, e.g. such that particular designs lead to better performance than others in a particular context. Mathematical models have been implemented in large corporation and have shown to be a useful tool in the design of global production and distribution network. Third, we find that global production and distribution networks are attracting increasing attention from a variety of areas: operations management, operations, research, logistics management, and transportation geography. Fourth, some recent research has been concerned with other aspects than those related to the material flow. Instead, there is a growth in research on plant and distributor roles in networks and relationships among plants, acknowledging softer aspects of the network, such as site competences and responsibilities of tasks from the network perspective. Also, aspects concerning flexibility or risk gaining recognition.