Sourcing Globally in a Locked World - : A qualitative study of the Covid-19 Pandemic Effects on Swedish LSEs Global Sourcing Operations

Abstract: Global sourcing has made it possible for companies to purchase components from suppliers all over the world. The intention nowadays is to find the best quality at the most competitive price, distance is not as important in today’s society. Sourcing globally is natural to many companies today and has increased in recent years. This global and open-world changed when Covid-19 erupted and the world declared a pandemic situation. Cities in China decided to implement a lockdown to reduce the infection. Covid-19 has affected global sourcing operations and made it hard to receive deliveries in time.  The thesis highlights different theories within global sourcing, how to ensure approved quality, and theories about digitalization/globalization. Other theories that are included in the thesis are theories about relationship management and international purchasing offices. The purpose of the thesis is to analyze what effects Covid-19 has had on these theories. Further, the thesis is a qualitative research conducted through interviews.  The empirical findings discuss similarities and differences from the analysis chapter. This chapter is crucial to answering our research questions. Further, the conclusion chapter demonstrates the findings of the thesis. A conclusion is that traditional quality assurance theories are applicable also when visitations at suppliers are not possible. Lastly, global sourcing departments have had to adapt to the new situation with the pandemic.