ABSTRACT
This study investigates the effects of supply chain (SCRE) and robustness (SCRO) on COVID-19 super disruption impacts and firm's financial performance by mobilizing the resources orchestration theory (ROT) as the main theoretical framework. We adopt structural equation modeling analysis of data collected from 289 French companies. The findings reveal the significantly positive influence of resources orchestration on SCRE and SCRO and the role of the latter in mitigating the pandemic disruption impacts. Notwithstanding, depending on whether the measures are objective or subjective, the effects of SCRE and SCRO on financial performance vary. Overall, this paper presents empirical evidence of the influence of both of SCRE and SCRO on pandemic disruption impacts and financial performance. Furthermore, this research provides insights to guide practitioners and decision makers regarding resources orchestration and the deployment of SCRE and SCRO.
ABSTRACT
PurposeThe business environment is increasingly volatile, complex, uncertain and ambiguous. Today, COVID-19 represents a super-disruption situation. This paper aims to explore small and medium-sized enterprises' (SMEs') resilience from continuous improvement lenses. It explores the role of continuous improvement in building organizational resilience across SMEs.Design/methodology/approachA Delphi methodology has been adopted to capture evidence and opinions from 38 experts from several Jordan-based SMEs through three-online rounds.FindingsThe study finds that continuous improvement enhances SMEs' resilience in the short term and long term. It can translate the concept of resilience into tangible working constructs for SMEs in visualizing and making decisions about their risks, adapting, absorbing changes and prevailing over time. The role of continuous improvement in building organizational resilience is fourfold;continuous improvement is a cyclical process;it has a vital cultural aspect and can be considered a business philosophy. It also emphasizes a holistic change approach based on small but constant changes. However, SMEs' leaders must consider several issues for effective continuous improvement, including a continuous improvement culture and a results-focused approach.Originality/valueOrganizational resilience has been studied across various contexts;however, there are still unanswered questions for SMEs' resilience. This study contributes to theory and practice by examining the role of continuous improvement in SMEs' resilience.
ABSTRACT
This study investigates the impact of supply chain (SC) disaster readiness on SC resilience and robustness and the subsequent impact on firms' financial performance in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak. Drawing on the dynamic capabilities view and organisational readiness for change theory, we provide a theoretical model and assess data gathered of 398 French firms using structural equation modelling. The findings corroborate the role of SC disaster readiness in setting the stage for resilience and robustness. In addition, the results indicate the positive influence of SC resilience on financial performance;however, the effects of SC robustness on performance are not demonstrated. Based on these results, we offer theoretical and practical implications for the extant literature and provide further avenues for research.
ABSTRACT
In the face of unexpected changes in their dynamic business environment, purchasing and supply chain (SC) managers have been challenged to boost SC resilience while maintaining their sustainability concerns. In this changing environment, this paper aims to explore: (1) how (social) sustainability affects SC resilience and (2) what the role of purchasing is for SC resilience. Through a dynamic capability view as the theoretical lens, we investigate whether and how an inclusive purchasing programme could enhance SC resilience capabilities to cope with the Covid-19 outbreak. We developed a Case study with various SC members of a multinational cosmetics company that, despite suffering from a sudden demand disruption during the outbreak, maintained its sustainability actions. The results show that four operational SC resilience capabilities were amplified: ‘visibility’, ‘adaptability’, ‘collaboration’ and ‘financial strength’. In addition, a new capability entitled ‘empowerment’ was mobilised during this period. These factors helped the inclusive purchasing maintenance and were essential to supporting social sustainability. In addition, our results show that sustainable PSM, which is overlooked in the literature, is key for SC resilience. This article contributes to theory and practice because it demonstrates the role and relevance of (inclusive) purchasing in a company's ability to cope with SC disruptions, such as those resulting from the outbreak.
ABSTRACT
Some studies tend to identify opportunities related to I4.0 technologies like Big Data and show there could be advantages for sustainable supply chain management that directly or indirectly impact the sustainable performance of territories such as product and market strategies, customization of deliveries, cost reductions, new business models, collaboration with entire supply chain ecosystems (Kache and Seuring, 2017). The fourth paper entitled “Engineering companies and their readiness for Industry 4.0” by Váně et al. used a unique data set in the engineering-oriented Pilsen Region of Czech Republic to explore the state of readiness of companies for the implementation of I4.0 in the following dimensions: (1) level of use of I4.0 technologies;(2) digital strategy of company;(3) criteria for investment decisions;(4) I4.0 challenges and (5) impact of I4.0 on the company's workforce. [...]these initial studies on I4.0 and its impact on the sustainability of territories highlight a wide variety of impacts. Since the papers presented in this special issue investigate the topic in different socioeconomic contexts (India, Czech Republic), further research in this field need to take into account these contexts.
ABSTRACT
Supply chain viability (SCV) is an emerging concept of growing importance in operations management. This paper aims to conceptualize, develop, and validate a measurement scale for SCV. SCV is first defined and operationalized as a construct, followed by content validation and item measure development. Data have been collected through three independent samplings comprising a total of 558 respondents. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses are used in a step-wise manner for scale development. Reliability and validity are evaluated. A nomological model is theorized and tested to evaluate nomological validity. For the first time, our study frames SCV as a novel and distinct construct. The findings show that SCV is a hierarchical and multidimensional construct, reflected in organizational structures, organizational resources, dynamic design capabilities, and operational aspects. The findings reveal that a central characteristic of SCV is the dynamic reconfiguration of SC structures in an adaptive manner to ensure survival in the long-term perspective. This research conceptualizes and provides specific, validated dimensions and item measures for SCV. Practitioner directed guidance and suggestions are offered for improving SCV during the COVID-19 pandemic and future severe disruptions.
ABSTRACT
This study investigates the role of supply chain risk management (SCRM) in mitigating the effects of disruptions impacts on supply chain resilience and robustness in the context of COVID-19 outbreak. Using structural equation modeling on a survey data from 470 French firms, the results confirm the basic tenets of resource-based view and organizational information processing theories regarding the combination of dynamic resources to face disruptions' uncertainty. Furthermore, the findings reveal the mediating role of SCRM practices and the prominent role they play in fostering supply chain resilience and robustness. Overall, by providing empirical assessment of a comprehensive SCRM framework, this research contributes to the extant literature and suggests further avenues for research.