Strategies to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on supply chain disruptions: a multiple case analysis of buyers and distributors

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Atif Saleem Butt
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Supply Chain Disruptions ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Operations ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Supplier Risk ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis paper explores the steps/countermeasures taken by buying and distributing firms to address supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs a multiple case study methodology and conducts 36 semi-structured interviews with senior managers of nine different firms producing, procuring or distributing products from China and other highly impacted South Asian regions (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India).FindingsResults reveal that buying firms are moving to agile production, focusing on tier-1 supplier risk, enhancing inbound material visibility and temporarily closing production facilities to respond to the challenges posed by COVID-19. Furthermore, distribution centres are modifying their inventory policies, evaluating alternative outbound routes and sources of supply to manage disruptions caused to their business operations amid COVID-19 outbreak.Practical implicationsSupply chain firms can use the countermeasures provided in this study to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and make the best out of this pandemic.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the supply chain literature by exploring the countermeasures taken by firms to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. In particular, this study explores such countermeasures from the perspective of two different entities (buyers and distributors) along the supply chain. Firms can use the countermeasures highlighted in this study to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the supply chain.

Supply chains and COVID-19: impacts, countermeasures and post-COVID-19 era

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Atif Saleem Butt
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Supply Chain Disruptions ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Methodology ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Opening Up

PurposeThis paper explores the steps/countermeasures taken by firms to address supply chain disruptions in the wake of COVID-19.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs a case study methodology and employs 46 semi-structured interviews with senior managers of the three buying firms, four distribution centres and four supplying firms based in four countries (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China and India).FindingsResults reveal that manufacturers are refining production schedules to meet the production challenges. Distributors are working with secondary suppliers to meet the inventory shortage. Finally, supplying firms are evaluating the impact of demand, focusing on short-term demand-supply strategy, preparing for channel shifts, opening up additional channels of communication with key customers, understanding immediate customer’s demand and priorities and finally becoming more agile.Research limitations/implicationsThere are some limitations to this study. First, the results of this study cannot be generalized to a wider population. Second, this study explores the interpretations of senior managers based in four Asian countries only.Practical implicationsSupply chain firms can use these findings to understand how COVID-19 is affecting firms. Firms can also use the suggestions provided in this study to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and make the best out of this pandemic.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the supply chain disruption literature by exploring the robust countermeasure taken by supply chain firms amid COVID-19 outbreak. In particular, it explores such countermeasures from the perspective of three different entities (buyer, supplier and distributor) based in four different countries in the South Asian region.

Impact of supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic to micro, small and medium enterprises in Davao Region, Philippines

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikko Longjas Laorden ◽  
Jon Marx Paredes Sarmiento ◽  
Glory Dee Antero Romo ◽  
Thaddeus Retuerto Acuña ◽  
Imee Marie Añabesa Acopiado
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Sales Performance ◽  
Green Technology ◽  
Supply Chain Disruptions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Operations ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Technology Upgrading

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the impact of supply chain disruptions on the operations and sales performance of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and the adoption of “green” technology during the COVID-19 pandemic in Davao Region, Philippines. Design/methodology/approach A business impact survey was conducted among 113 MSMEs in Davao Region through the Regional Inclusive Innovation Center participated by the industry, government and the academe from October–December 2020. The impact of supply chain disruptions on the status of business operations was determined using ordered logit regression, while the impact on sales performance during the lockdown and new normal periods were modeled using logit regression. The technology upgrading plans of the MSMEs, including the adoption of “green” technology, were also determined. Findings This study found that the extent of disruption in processing the goods and services resulted in a negative impact on business operations, and the disruption of the availability of raw materials negatively affected the sales performance during the lockdown period. Moreover, around 20%–33% of MSMEs experiencing heavy supply chain disruptions had a plan to upgrade their business processes by adopting “green” technology. Research limitations/implications MSMEs need to establish strategic collaboration among the different stakeholders through public, private, non-government institutions and academe collaboration to enhance the capabilities of MSMEs in handling supply chain disruptions and pursuing technology upgrading. Originality/value This paper is among the early studies of the impact of COVID-19 to supply chains in the Philippines focusing on the MSMEs.

Understanding the implications of pandemic outbreaks on supply chains: an exploratory study of the effects caused by the COVID-19 across four South Asian countries and steps taken by firms to address the disruptions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Atif Saleem Butt
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Distribution Centers ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the disruptions caused to supply chains by COIVD-19 as well as steps/countermeasures taken by firms to address such disruptions.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs 46 semi-structured interviews with senior managers of the three buying firms, four distribution centers and four supplying firms based in four countries (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China and India).FindingsResults unveil that manufacturing firms are facing limited production and delays in procuring goods and services, while distribution centres are facing inventory shortages. Furthermore, supplying firms are facing increased lead times amid the COVID-19 outbreak. In addition, each affected entity has employed specific strategies to address these disruptions. For instance, manufacturing firms are refining their production schedules based on the inventory, getting better visibility to their suppliers’ performance and developing new inbound routes to meet the production challenges. They are also assessing the tier-1 supplier’s risk and activating the relationship with secondary suppliers to address the procurement issues. Second, distributors are modifying inventory policies to meet the inventory shortage. Finally, supplying firms are developing alternative outbound logistics to meet the growing demand.Research limitations/implicationsThere are some limitations to this study. First, the results of this study cannot be generalized to a wider population. Second, this study explores the interpretations of senior managers based in four Asian countries only.Originality/valueOur study contributes to the supply chain literature by exploring the disruptions caused by COVID-19 to the supply chain operations. It also contributes to theory and practice by articulating the strategies adopted by firms to address such disruptions. Firms can use the steps highlighted in this study to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the supply chain disruptions.

Carbon emission risks and management accounting: Australian evidence

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayanthi Kumarasiri ◽  
Christine Jubb
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Emissions ◽  
Carbon Emission ◽  
Management Accounting ◽  
Interview Data ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Emission Mitigation ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Economic Interests ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to apply regulatory mix theory as a framework for investigating the use of management accounting techniques by Australian large listed companies in constraining their carbon emissions. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews are conducted with senior managers involved with managing their companies’ carbon emission risks. Analysis of the interview data is undertaken with a view to provision of insight to the impact of the regulatory framework imposed to deal with carbon emissions. Findings The findings reveal that regulation impacting companies’ economic interests rather than requiring mere disclosure compliance is much more likely to be behind focusing top management and board attention and use of management accounting techniques to set targets, measure performance and incentivise emission mitigation. However, there remains much scope for increased use of accounting professionals and accounting techniques in working towards a carbon-constrained economy. Research limitations/implications The usual limitations associated with interpretation of interview data are applicable. Practical implications Under-use of management accounting techniques is likely to be associated with less than optimal constraint of carbon emissions. Social implications Carbon emissions are accepted as being involved in harmful climate change. To the extent effective techniques are under-utilised in constraining emissions, harmful consequences for society are likely to be heightened unnecessarily. Originality/value The topic and data collected are original and provide valuable insights into the dynamics of management accounting technique use in managing carbon emissions.

scholarly journals Burden or blessing in disguise: interactions in supply chain complexity

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 314-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hendryk Dittfeld ◽  
Kirstin Scholten ◽  
Dirk Pieter Van Donk
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Food Processing ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Food Processing Industry ◽  
Dynamic Complexity ◽  
Processing Industry ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Different Types

Purpose While systems theory explicitly considers interactions as part of a system’s complexity, supply chain complexity (SCC) is mostly conceptualized and measured as a linear summation of several aspects. The purpose of this paper is to challenge the general understanding by explicitly investigating interactions between and across different types (detail and dynamic) and levels (plant, supply chain, environment) of SCC. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory multiple case study methodology is adopted drawing on in-depth semi-structured interviews with respondents from eight manufacturing plants in the food processing industry. Findings On the one hand, it is found that different types add and increase overall SCC. On the other hand, the study also shows the opposite: interactions between detail and dynamic complexity can reduce the overall SCC experienced. Additionally, the findings highlight the specific food processing characteristics such as the variability of quality and quantity of raw materials that underlie interactions between types and levels of SCC. Originality/value This study adds to theory by empirically showing that interactions across and between types and levels do not automatically increase, but might also reduce SCC. As such, the findings contribute new detail to the concept of SCC: aspects of complexity do not necessarily add up linearly. Additionally, this study is one of the first to demonstrate how specific contextual aspects from the food processing industry relate to SCC.

Building resilience in retail supply chains: Lessons learned from COVID-19 and future pathways

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Atif Saleem Butt
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Cash Flows ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis study explores the countermeasures taken by retailers to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on supply chain disruptions.Design/methodology/approachThis research uses a multiple case study approach and undertakes 36 semi-structured interviews with senior management of the four largest retailers of the United Arab Emirates. The respondents were designated at different positions such as Vice President, Director and Project Manager.FindingsResults reveal that retailers are employing six countermeasures to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on supply chains. Particularly, retailers are securing required demand, preserving cash flows, redirecting inventory, adding capacity to their distribution centres, becoming more flexible with their direct or third-party logistics provider and finally widening delivery options for their suppliers to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has some limitations. First, the results of this study cannot be generalized to a broader population as it attempts to build an initial theory. Second, this study uses a cross-sectional approach to explore the countermeasures employed by retailing firms to mitigate the effects of COVID-19.Originality/valueA notable weakness in a supply chain disruption literature is an unfulfilled need for research examining the strategies employed by retailers to respond to/address the challenges posed by COVID-19. Our study fills this gap.

Internet of Things – the future of managing supply chain risks

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 535-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hendrik Sebastian Birkel ◽  
Evi Hartmann
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Information Processing ◽  
Internet Of Things ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Radical Change ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Information Requirements ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the implications for supply chain risk management (SCRM) by applying internet of things (IoT). Therefore, the impact and effects on the SCRM process, as well as the internal and external pathway and the outcome of SCRM are examined. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a multiple case study methodology with twelve companies from the manufacturing industry. This study is guided by the information processing theory (IPT) and a theory-grounded research framework to provide insights into information requirements and information processing capabilities for IoT-supported SCRM. Findings The studied cases demonstrate an increase in data availability in the companies that contribute to improved process transparency and process management. Furthermore, the process steps, risk transparency, risk knowledge and risk strategies have been enhanced, which enabled improved SCRM performance by fitting information requirements and information processing capabilities, thus allowing for competitive advantage. Practical implications This study offers in-depth insights for SCRM managers into the structure of IoT systems, primary use cases and changes for the process itself. Furthermore, implications for employees, incentives and barriers are identified, which could be used to redesign SCRM. Originality/value This study addresses the requirement for additional empirical research on technology-enhanced SCRM, supported by IPT as a theoretical foundation. The radical change of SCRM by IoT is demonstrated while discussing the human role, implications for SCRM strategies and identifying relevant topics for future development.

Cash-based response in relief: the impact for humanitarian logistics

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham Heaslip ◽  
Gyöngyi Kovács ◽  
Ira Haavisto
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Humanitarian Logistics ◽  
Supply Chain Design ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Emergency Situations ◽  
Humanitarian Operations ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the financial and material flows in cash-based responses (CBRs) and their implications for humanitarian operations. This research proposes to view cash as a commodity used by humanitarian actors in emergency operations and therefore aims to explore how CBRs impact on humanitarian logistics and ultimately, affect beneficiaries. Design/methodology/approach The methodological approach of grounded theory was chosen for this inquiry because it allowed the researchers to generate a general explanation for the process of CBRs in emergency situations based on the views of participants interviewed. Interviews were conducted with senior managers, supply chain managements and logistics officers from international humanitarian organisations (HOs), United Nations agencies and commercial organisations involved in humanitarian operations. Examples of topics covered during the field work included, procedures and policy; knowledge and information management; systems and technology; actors and agents. Findings The impact of CBRs on humanitarian operations can though not be understated. They alter supply chain design, the very role of beneficiaries as well as HOs, and change the strategy of aid delivery from push to pull. Perhaps, the most important factor is the elimination of many logistical activities that needed to be performed by HOs. Delivering cash diminishes the needs for lengthy procurement and assessment processes, pre-positioning, transportation and distribution. This bears the potential of significant reductions in costs for delivering humanitarian aid at the same time as it is an important move from aid to trade. Practical implications The challenge for humanitarian agencies in the coming years is to overcome their fears surrounding CBRs, and to implement cash programmes where they are judged to be the most appropriate response. This will require not only a change in donor policies, but also a fundamental change in the skill set of humanitarian logisticians, who are used to identifying needs and providing commodities and thus to maintaining control over the provision of assistance. Originality/value The contribution of this research is twofold: this is the first examination of cash-based interventions in humanitarian operations through the prism of supply chain management. Second, the research is field based and grounded in empirical observations thus adding to the literature and offering insights to practice.

The effect of supply chain disruptions on shareholder wealth in small and mid-cap companies

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aswin Alora ◽  
Mukesh Kumar Barua
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Insider Trading ◽  
Shareholder Wealth ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Small Companies ◽  
Supply Chain Disruption ◽  
Supply Chain Disruptions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Consensus ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Supply chain disruptions can have severe negative consequences on companies. However, studies measuring the financial impacts of supply chain disruptions are largely confined to developed nations and large companies. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the impact of supply chain disruption on small companies in the context of an emerging nation. Further, an attempt has been made to classify supply chain disruptions and measure its impact by its type. Design/methodology/approach In this research, the event study on 335 supply chain disruption events for a 10 year period starting from 2009 to 2019 has been used. Findings The results state that the Indian small and medium companies lost −4.49% of shareholder wealth in disruption. The findings also indicate that the financial and environmental disruptions can have severe effect on shareholder wealth as compared to other category. Research limitations/implications The study is confined to a developing country. Considering multiple countries can provide comparative results and therefore a global consensus could be achieved. Practical implications The outcomes of the results help managers to plan and prioritize supply chain disruptions, regulatory authorities can plug any possible insider trading practices for small companies in the event of supply chain disruptions. Investors can plan and take prudent investing decisions based on the nature of the disruptions. Originality/value To the best of the knowledge, this is the first study measuring the supply chain disruption effects on smaller companies in an emerging nation. The study is also novel in incorporating financial disruptions and measuring source wise impact on shareholder wealth.

scholarly journals Corporate food donations: altruism, strategy or cost saving?

2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (7) ◽  
pp. 1628-1642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sedef Sert ◽  
Paola Garrone ◽  
Marco Melacini ◽  
Alessandro Perego
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Managerial Decision ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Giving ◽  
Managerial Decisions ◽  
Relevant Role ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Study Methodology

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to enhance the understanding of motives behind corporate giving and at finding out whether and when operational efficiency plays a major role in the case of surplus food donations by food supply chain companies. Design/methodology/approach A multiple case study methodology has been applied considering a sample of 16 food sector companies operating in Italy. Three cases have been analyzed in-depth to highlight the contextual factors that make cost savings possible and donations sizeable and regular. Findings The results show that the willingness of companies to reduce operational costs plays a relevant role in managerial decisions concerning the recovery and donation of unsold food, although to different degrees across the supply chain stages. Originality/value The paper shows that not only strategic and moral motives, but also economic efficiency concern plays an important role in the managerial decision-making process pertaining to surplus food donations.

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