Muhammad Abid

My research focuses on understanding how firms make strategic decisions regarding relocating production activities within global production networks (GPNs). In today’s rapidly changing world, shaped by geopolitical tensions, digital transformation, environmental concerns, and supply chain vulnerabilities, relocation decisions are no longer driven solely by costs; they involve a complex interplay of multiple, often conflicting, decision factors.

I integrate Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) with mathematical modeling and simulation techniques to explore these complexities. I am particularly interested in how configuration-related factors (e.g., proximity to markets, labor costs, and infrastructure) interact with coordination-related factors (e.g., digital orchestration and supply chain control). These interactions can result in complementarities, tensions, and dynamics that evolve over time, a viewpoint often overlooked in conventional research.

One of my recent contributions is a systematic literature review outlining the key challenges and opportunities associated with MCDA methods in production relocation. I proposed a conceptual distinction between configuration and coordination as two interdependent categories of decision factors, offering a new perspective for academic research and industrial applications.

Ultimately, I aim to bridge theory and practice by designing tools and frameworks that enable evidence-based, transparent, and forward-thinking decision-making in global operations. Effective relocation strategies can enhance firm performance, sustainability, and resilience in GPNs.