A new shape of the supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has created a new normal for international business (IB) activities, leaving them pondering their next steps. The decreasing effectiveness of current vaccines to protect individuals against new variants have created uncertainty on how to respond to the new waves of the COVID-19 infection. This study aims to empirically assesses how IBs perceive the unfolding challenges in the supply chain due to the pandemic and the solutions. Design/methodology/approach: The survey data is obtained from 166 logistics professionals in Hong Kong and India. Findings: The results reveal that returns on investment, logistics, delays and imports are the most affected areas. The most often recommended solutions for supply chain management (SCM) include using local manufacturing capabilities, analytics and automation, offering better customer service, providing more effective transportation means, ensuring diligence around optimization and focusing on sustainability. Originality/value: The findings of this study help to improve supply chain operations. This study also provides recommendations for changes to SCM in response to the new normal. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Analysis of the COVID-19 Pandemic’s Impact on the Cruise Shipping Network in the Asian-Australasian Region

This study investigated the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the Asian-Australasian cruise shipping network. The analysis was carried out using complex network analysis and data collected for two periods, before and after the pandemic outbreak. The analysis revealed that the network structure and properties have changed after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Interestingly, the network’s density and the number of links have increased, but its scale-free property remains with the degree distribution follows the power law. The network has a higher connectivity efficiency with a smaller average path length and a higher clustering coefficient. Its hub ports still maintain an extensive connection. The network’s flow efficiency becomes higher and connectivity stronger after the pandemic. The role of cruise ports has changed as indicated by the degree, betweenness, closeness and eigenvector centralities. The study’s findings indicate that the cruise shipping sector could further enhance efficiency and identify strategies to assist the management in similar circumstances. ©EverScience Publications