Supply chain resilience during the COVID-19: empirical evidence from an emerging economy

PurposeAlthough the advances in the supply chain resilience (SCR) literature, there is a critical gap concerning this understanding in a high disruption context, such as in the case of the COVID-19. This paper aims to investigate some dimensions (agility, robustness, disruption orientation and resource reconfiguration) of the SCR during this unprecedented disruption in the Brazilian supply chain context.Design/methodology/approachSupported by the resource-based view, dynamic capabilities and the SCR literature, we developed a model, which in turn was analyzed and validated by partial least squares structural equation modelling.FindingsThe results revealed that while resource reconfiguration and supply chain disruption orientation positively affect SCR, we found a non-significant effect of supply chain robustness and agility.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that in a considerable disruption scenario, managers with their supply chain operations in emerging economies should prioritize the development of resources to support the disruption orientation and manage the scarce resources adequately by reconfiguring them.Originality/valueOur study is one of the first that reported the dynamics of the SCR dimensions in an emerging economy during the COVID-19.

The impact of information security initiatives on supply chain robustness and performance: an empirical study

Purpose Information security is an essential element in all business activities. The damage to businesses from information security breaches has become pervasive. The scope of information security has widened as information has become a critical supply chain asset, making it more important to protect the organization’s data. Today’s global supply chains rely upon the speedy and robust dissemination of information among supply chain partners. Hence, processing of accurate supply chain information is quintessential to ensure the robustness and performance of supply chains. An effective information security management (ISM) is deemed to ensure the robustness of supply chains. The purpose of the paper is to examine the impact of information security initiatives on supply chain robustness and performance. Design/methodology/approach Based on extant literature, a research model was developed and validated using a questionnaire survey instrument administered among information systems/information technology managers. Data collected were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Further, to test the hypotheses and to fit the theoretical model, Structural equation modeling techniques were used. Findings Results of this study indicated that information security initiatives are positively associated with supply chain robustness and performance. These initiatives are likely to enhance the robustness and performance of the supply chains. Originality/value With the advancements in internet technologies and capabilities as well as considering the dynamic environment of supply chains, this study is relevant in terms of the capability that an organization needs to acquire with regards to ISM. Benefiting from the resource dependency theory, information security initiatives could be considered as a critical resource having an influence on the internal and external environment of supply chains.

Leverage risks for supply chain robustness against corruption

PurposeThis paper examines the establishment of supply chain robustness against corruption by utilizing risk interactions.Design/methodology/approachBased on empirical results from the New Zealand dairy industry, a system dynamics model is established to explore the underlying relationships among variables.FindingsThe results show that although certain supply chain risks seem unrelated to corruption, their mitigation would help mitigate the impact of corruption due to risk interactions; and mitigation of some of the risks is more effective in mitigating the impact of corruption. Leverage risks have been defined and identified in this research, which expands the extant knowledge in reducing the impact of corruption on supply chains.Originality/valueThe research illustrates how the impact of corruption can be studied in an integrated way with dairy supply chain SD analysis. It is a pioneering study to mitigate the impact of corruption on supply chains from supply chain robustness.

Intra-organizational communication, understanding, and process diffusion in logistics service providers

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate, using survey data, how a firm may be able to leverage innovation or processes specifically developed for one customer across its entire customer network using on-site, or implanted, employees.Design/methodology/approachData collected from a survey of 309 implanted logistics service provider (LSP) representatives are analyzed using structural equation modeling.FindingsThe findings show that intra-organizational task interdependence and face-to-face communication can lead to a greater understanding of firm processes developed for specific customers and greater diffusion of these new processes to other customers. Rather than separating customers that require implanted employees, these implants can be a conduit of valuable information and process enhancements that can positively impact a firm’s customer network.Originality/valueThe current research shows how LSPs can effectively use their customer networks to provide process improvements for multiple customers. Specifically, transferring processes between customers can lead to efficiencies and contribute to supply chain robustness not possible without process diffusion.