José Plà-Barber, Professor of International Business at University of Valencia and IFSEA visiting Professor, delivered a conference entitled “Deglobalization, regional value chains and competitiveness of manufacturing industries after Covid-19”, for students of International Trade & B2B Marketing Master on March 14, 2024 at ULCO.
Students and Professors Wang and Lin from TUST Taiwan (Ta Hwa University of Science and Technology ) attented Prof. Plà-Barber’s presentation of the topic of the regionalization of supply chain management. His presentation highlighted the intricate dynamics of globalization and deglobalization forces that are influencing contemporary supply chain practices. The professor begins by outlining the traditional understanding of supply chains as global networks that distribute goods and services across borders, highlighting the benefits of efficiency and cost savings that such globalized systems provide, in relation with the various foreign entry modes and governance mechaisms multinational companies use.
On the one hand, he also introduced the concept of deglobalization, which refers to the reverse trend of breaking down global supply chains in favor of regional or local sourcing and production. This shift is driven by various factors, such as rising protectionism, geopolitical tensions, and the desire for greater supply chain resilience in the face of disruptions like natural disasters or pandemics.
On the other hand, the professor also discusses the continued relevance of globalization forces in supply chain management, especially in industries where economies of scale and access to global markets are still critical for success. The presentation explores how companies are navigating this dual landscape of regionalization and globalization, adapting their supply chain strategies to balance the benefits of both approaches.
Throughout the presentation, the visiting professor engages students with case studies, real-world examples, and interactive discussions to illustrate the complexity and challenges of managing regionalized supply chains in a globalized world. By the end of the presentation, students are left with a deeper understanding of the factors driving the regionalization of supply chain management and the implications for businesses operating in today’s rapidly changing global economy and will be able to apply these concepts to the seafood industry.
