Buying and Selling from Anywhere to Anyone, is there a shift in supply chain flows? What are the opportunities for
“Localisation” on a global scale?
TEAM Rural, a three-year (2020-2023) action research initiative at South East Technological University, Ireland, was funded with the specific objective of exploring the dynamics of regional and rural socio-economic ecosystems. While “scanning the horizon” of regional ecosystems and associated entrepreneurial activities, we observed some signs of shifting supply chains. From an Irish context, several dynamics influencing supply chains were identified. These include remote working becoming a full-time or part-time reality, the impact of Digital Services Supply Chain on local economies, the connection between “Sense of Place” and “Sense of Purpose,” and the trend towards integrating urban and rural aspects rather than seeing them as separate entities. Questions arose regarding what is and will drive the geography of new economies. We questioned whether we are observing short-term trends or a paradigm shift, where digitalization, climate-conscious decision-making, and individual ambition are connecting. Case studies within the initiative include the influence of the “surf” on a coworking HUB, the transition from an inline farm to an online farm through digitalization, the global influence on collaborative enterprises fostering creativity, and the collaborative “pollinator” effect within rural communities.