Supply chain risk and resilience in startups, SMEs, and large enterprises: a systematic review and directions for research

PurposeThis study aims to theoretically hypothesise and empirically explore the relationships amongst global supply chain risks, supply chain resilience and mitigating strategies.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts supply chain resilience as a dynamic capability and resilience capability as a mediating prerequisite in addressing supply chain risk in sourcing, manufacturing and delivery. The moderating role of diverse mitigating strategies is tested to enhance supply chain resilience. Data collected via survey was used for structural equation modelling and additional tests to explore appropriate mitigating strategies for differing risk environments.FindingsAchieving better supply chain resilience capability plays an important mediating role between supply chain risks and resilience, while the relationships depend on the performance of seven mitigating strategies.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings contribute to the theoretical development of risk management issues in global supply chains by suggesting the role of supply chain resilience capability.Practical implicationsThe findings offer managerial guidance on how to mitigate the global supply chain risk through the appropriate practice of strategies to strengthen supply chain resilience in an uncertain environment.Originality/valueThis is the first empirical research examining the impact of mitigating strategies on supply chain resilience. The results provide practical implications for managing uncertain events and offering theoretical insight for future research in supply chain resilience.

PurposeAs the construction industry transforms towards green and low-carbon development, prefabricated buildings (PBs) have become the mainstream trend of industry development with their significant advantages of environmental protection, high efficiency and resource conservation. However, the prefabricated building supply chain (PBSC) faces many risks and challenges in actual operation, which pose a serious threat to the stability and sustainable development of the supply chain (SC). Taking the PB project of Enterprise J as an example, this paper deeply explores the risk propagation mechanism in its SC and proposes a practical risk control strategy, aiming to enhance the risk resistance and resilience of the SC and ensure its sustainable development.Design/methodology/approachBased on the actual contract data of Enterprise J, this study constructed a four-layer PBSC network model, covering PB contractors, material suppliers, module manufacturers, and PB construction enterprises. By identifying and evaluating the main risk factors in the SC, combined with the improved Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation method and the cloud-matter element evaluation model, the weight and vulnerability of each risk factor were analyzed. MATLAB R2022b software was further used to simulate the Susceptible-Infected-Recovered-Susceptible (SIRS) model to analyze the impact of different risk control strategies on risk propagation.FindingsThis study analyzed the PBSC network of J Company and found that it has high connectivity and low group characteristics, which promotes the rapid spread of risks. SIRS model analysis shows that the infection rate is most sensitive to risk transmission, and a higher infection rate accelerates the spread, emphasizing the importance of controlling the initial infection rate. The recovery rate significantly affects the speed of risk transmission, while the immune extinction rate affects the long-term stability of the SC. The betweenness centrality strategy based on betweenness centrality performs well in controlling risk transmission, and can effectively reduce the number of infected enterprises and shorten the recovery time. The study also found that PB contractors and material suppliers are key links and are prone to become the source of risk transmission; while module manufacturers and PB construction enterprise show strong risk resistance.Practical implicationsThis study provides a new theoretical framework and practical strategy for risk management of PBSC of enterprise J, helping enterprises to identify key risk nodes and effectively control risk propagation through reasonable immunization strategies, thereby enhancing the stability and resilience of the SC. The research results provide strong support for coping with external uncertainties and technological changes, and promote the healthy development of enterprise J.Originality/valueThis study takes the PBSC network of J Company as an empirical object, deeply analyzes its risk propagation mechanism and control strategy, and has significant academic innovation and practical value. By constructing a four-layer weighted directed network model that conforms to the actual operation of the enterprise, and combining the SIRS model for dynamic simulation analysis, this study reveals the key impact of infection rate, recovery rate and immune extinction rate on SC risk propagation, and provides a new perspective and theoretical basis for J Company’s SC risk management. In particular, the betweenness immunization strategy based on betweenness centrality, as an innovative solution, provides a practical path for enterprises to identify and control key risk nodes. The study also further analyzes the vulnerability and recovery capacity of different levels, and proposes targeted strategies to enhance the resilience and risk resistance of the enterprise SC. This study not only enriches the theoretical framework of J Company’s SC risk management, but also provides an operational practical guide for it to improve the stability of the SC and cope with the challenges of external uncertainty.

Purpose The increasingly volatile risk environment has made small and medium enterprises (SMEs) more vulnerable to disruptions, but one group of SMEs, SRDI (specialized, refined, distinctive and innovative) in China, has shown greater supply chain resilience (SCRe). Design/methodology/approach Based on the dynamic capability view and stakeholder theory, this study examines how SRDI SMEs facing supply chain risk (SCR) can utilize supply chain integration (SCI) to achieve SCRe. We test the research model by performing structural equation analysis on sample data from 120 SRDI SMEs in new energy vehicle (NEV) supply chains. Findings The results suggest that SCR can motivate SRDI SMEs in NEV supply chains to engage in supplier and customer integration, but it is not sufficient to promote internal integration (II). The conclusions also show that supplier and customer integration positively influence SCRe. Although II shows no direct impact on SCRe, it can indirectly affect SCRe through supplier and customer integration. We further find that supplier integration and customer integration mediate between SCR and SCRe, respectively. Originality/value This paper enriches the SCRe literature, and the findings inform the use of SCI by SRDI SMEs to improve SCRe in a dynamic environment.

PurposeThis study aims to analyse whether the presence of supply chain complexity (SCC) influences firms to improve their supply chain (SC) resilience and SC robustness capability. This study also examines an important paradox: whether investing in both exploitation and exploration practices is conflicting or complementary to enabling SC resilience and robustness in the presence of SCC.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used a survey-based approach to collect 242 useful responses from SC professionals of Pakistani firms, an important emerging economy context. The data were analysed with covariance-based structural equation modelling to statistically validate the model.FindingsThe analysis reveals several key findings: the presence of SCC has a direct, positive influence on SC resilience and SC robustness; while exploitation practices only partially mediate the nexus between SCC and SC resilience, they fully mediate the relationship between SCC and SC robustness; while exploration practices partially mediate the nexus between SCC and SC resilience, they do not mediate the relationship between SCC and SC robustness and SCC has a significant influence on SC resilience and SC robustness sequentially through exploitation and exploration (i.e. one after the other).Practical implicationsThese findings help to reconcile the exploitation versus exploration paradox in cultivating SC resilience and SC robustness in the presence of SCC. The findings assist SC managers in determining how to deploy their limited resources most effectively to enhance SC resilience and SC robustness while facing SCC.Originality/valueThe authors devise and empirically validate a unique framework that demonstrates how the presence of SCC works as a stimulus to build SC resilience and SC robustness.

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the impact of supply chain risk (SCR) information processing capabilities (e.g. SCR information sharing and SCR information analysis) and supply chain finance (SCF) on supply chain resilience, as well as the moderating effect of environmental uncertainty in the relationship between SCF and supply chain resilience.Design/methodology/approachThis paper proposes a theoretical model grounded on the information processing theory. Data collected from 216 Chinese firms are used to test the theoretical model by employing structural equation modelling.FindingsThe findings reveal that SCR information processing capabilities have a significant impact on both SCF and supply chain resilience. SCF plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between SCR information processing capabilities and supply chain resilience. In addition, environmental uncertainty moderates the relationship between SCF and supply chain resilience.Originality/valueFirst, this paper enriches the knowledge of how information processing capability affects SCF and supply chain resilience as the study considers the more granular SCR information rather than general information that has been discussed in previous studies. Second, this is one of the first papers to establish the relationship between SCF and supply chain resilience in emerging economies. Next, the paper extends the theoretical framework of the antecedents and consequences of SCF. Moreover, the study further facilitates the understanding of the role of the external environment in SCR and SCF management.

The impact of information technology usage on supply chain resilience and performance: An ambidexterous view

Building resilience or maintaining robustness: Insights from relational view and information processing perspective

Building responsive and resilient supply chains: Lessons from the <scp>COVID</scp>‐19 disruption

Mapping pathways for building resilient supply chains: A systematic literature review

PurposeThis study aims to identify supply chain (SC) management practices applied to purchasing capable of improving the resilience of the health-care SC and mitigating the effects of material and service disruption during pandemics.Design/methodology/approachThe approach adopted is qualitative and is based on a systematic literature review from the ScienceDirect, Emerald, Wiley and Web of Science databases. After selecting 705 documents, filters are applied, and 52 articles present problems faced by purchasing the health-care SC during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.FindingsThis article suggests five propositions of resilient practices that can increase purchasing resilience in the face of pandemics such as COVID-19. The proposed practices are collaboration, flexibility, visibility, agility and information sharing, which suggest a sequence for the adoption of management practices based on the number of occurrences and importance found in the analysed studies.Research limitations/implicationsThis study does not find robust empirical evidence that could categorically state that the results can be replicated in organisations in general. Thus, as a continuation of research, more studies should use an empirical methodology and case analysis to organise different branches. As the human factor was decisive for the results observed in the literature, future research should dedicate part of the studies to the psychological area of professionals. Actions to combat the pandemic were implemented, impacting positively and negatively on the results obtained. Future research on combat actions could indicate which ones should be avoided.Practical implicationsAs a result, disruptions are expected to be reduced, and consequently, the resilience of the SC will increase. Accordingly, purchasing processes and procedures can be redefined to positively influence the resilience of the health-care SC. Resilience is related to maintaining the flow of supply, as well as systems and actions aimed at mitigating the effects of disruptions in the hospital’s core business.Social implicationsHealth systems need to respond to society’s needs even in the face of global crises, such as the one faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The overload in hospitals and the exponential demand for specific medicines and services in the fight against the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic require enormous coordination in procurement by the purchasing sector. This planning aims to ensure that the care provided by health services maintains the flow of value that serves hospitalised patients.Originality/valueThis study introduces a new approach to the recurrent problem of disruption of the health-care SC during a pandemic using a combination of five important management practices. This proves useful for mitigating disruptions and their effects on the health-care SC.

Orientation: In today’s globalised and complex business environment, firms are ever more vulnerable to supply chain disruptions, originating both internally and externally from the supply chain. Supply chain resilience minimises the impact of a disruption through design approaches, which allows the supply chain to respond appropriately to disruptive events.Research purpose: This article investigated the supply chain risks faced by grocery manufacturers in the South African fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry and explored supply chain design approaches that enable supply chain resilience.Motivation for the study: South African grocery manufacturers are faced with distinct risks. Whilst supply chain risk management studies have provided firms with certain guidelines to mitigate risk, supply chains are still vulnerable to unanticipated risks. Literature on supply chain resilience in the South African context is scant. The concept of supply chain resilience provides firms with strategies that are built into the supply chain that allow firms to react and recover swiftly from disruptions. Furthermore, supply chain resilience strategies assist firms in becoming less vulnerable to possible disruptions.Research design approach and method: This study was conducted by using a descriptive qualitative research design. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with senior supply chain practitioners specifically within the South African FMCG grocery manufacturing industry.Main findings: The study found that labour unrest is the most common risk faced by the industry. Furthermore, strategic stock and supply chain mapping are of the most useful design approaches to enhance supply chain resilience.Practical/managerial implications: The study provides managers with new insights in guiding supply chain design decisions for resilient supply chains. Through the identification of risks and appropriate solutions linked to the various risks, the study allows managers an array of options to choose from when enforcing a resilient supply chain.Contribution/ value-add: The study contributes to the body of knowledge by being one of the first empirical studies conducted on supply chain design approaches for supply chain resilience in the South African context. The study also adds to the scarce literature on supply chain resilience in the FMCG industry, both globally and in a South African context.

PurposeIn the last few years, environmental issues have become a matter of survival. In this sense, e-waste management is among the major problems since it may be a way of mitigating mineral depletion. In this context, the literature lacks e-waste supply chain studies that systematically map supply chain challenges and risks concerning material recovery.Design/methodology/approachGiven this context, the authors' paper conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) to build a framework to identify the constructs of e-waste supply chain risk management.FindingsThe paper revealed the theoretical relationship between important variables to achieve e-waste supply chain risk management via a circular economy (CE) framework. These variables include reverse logistics (RL), closed-loop supply chains (CLSC), supply chain risk management, supply chain resilience and smart cities.Originality/valueThe literature contributions of this paper are as follows: (1) a complete list of the risks of the e-waste supply chains, (2) the techniques being used to identify, assess and mitigate e-waste supply chain risks and (3) the constructs that form the theoretical framework of e-waste supply chain risk management. In addition, the authors' results address important literature gaps identified by researchers and serve as a guide to implementation.

Purpose This study aims to explore the complex interdependencies between country-level supply chain risk (SCR) and several specific risk categories, with a focus on anti-money laundering (AML) risk, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risk, sustainable development goal (SDG) risk and sovereign risk. The objective is to enhance the understanding of how these broad risk categories contribute to supply chain vulnerabilities, which is essential for improving global supply chain resilience. Additionally, the study examines the connections between SCR and its key indicators and operational risk factors to provide a comprehensive framework for global risk management. Design/methodology/approach The study utilizes Bayesian belief networks (BBNs) to develop three models. The first model focuses on the relationship between SCR and broad risk categories, including AML, ESG, SDG and sovereign risk. The second model analyzes the connection between SCR and specific risk indicators, such as access to basic services, climate change and renewable energy, equality and inclusion, operational risk, the prevalence of corruption, quality of institutions and others. The third model examines operational risk indicators, including adequate data protection, economic wealth, ICT development, inflation rate, the logistics performance index and political stability. Data from 191 countries in 2022 were used to explore these relationships. Findings The analysis reveals significant interdependencies between SCR and the examined risk categories. AML and ESG risks are found to have a direct influence on supply chain vulnerabilities. Moreover, SCR is strongly impacted by indicators such as access to basic services, political stability, and the strength of human rights. In terms of operational risk, key influencing factors include data protection levels, GDP per capita, and logistics performance. These findings validate the hypothesis that SCR is directly linked to both broader risk categories and specific operational indicators, underscoring the need for integrated risk management strategies. Originality/value This research offers a novel contribution by mapping the complex relationships between SCR and various risk categories, including AML, ESG and specific operational factors. The application of BBNs provides a new perspective on understanding the interconnections between country-level risks and their impact on supply chain resilience. The study provides actionable insights for businesses and policymakers aiming to strengthen supply chain resilience in a globalized environment. It also lays the groundwork for future research to explore these relationships in different regions or industries, offering practical value for both theory and practice.

PurposeThe COVID-19 crisis has caused major supply chain disruptions, and these can be traced back to basic supply chain risks that have previously been well identified in literature. The purpose of this paper is to suggest a pathway for closing the gap between supply chain resilience research and efforts in industry to develop a more resilient supply chain.Design/methodology/approachBased upon virtual roundtables with supply chain executives, supplemented with interviews and publicly available datapoints about COVID-19 impact on the supply chain, we explore challenges in industry and suggest opportunity areas where research can support efforts in industry to improve supply chain resilience.FindingsDuring the COVID-19 crisis, participating supply chain executives are experiencing textbook supply, demand and control risks in the supply chain. They also observe a lack of preparedness, shortcomings of current response plans and the need for greater supply chain resilience. Focus areas in improving resilience mirror generic recommendations from literature and provide a rich opportunity to reduce the gap between research findings and efforts in industry.Research limitations/implicationsMore empirical, event-based and less conceptual research into supply chain resilience has been called for several times during the last two decades. COVID-19 provides a very rich opportunity for researchers to conduct the type of research that has been called for. This research may contribute to the structurally de-risking of supply chains. Areas of research opportunity include decision models for supply chain design that avoid overfocusing on costs only, and that consider the value of flexibility, short response times and multiple sources as well as methods for enriching supplier segmentation and evaluation models to reduce a focus on savings and payment terms only.Practical implicationsKey levers for de-risking the supply chain include the need to balance global sourcing with nearshore and local sourcing, the adoption of multiple sources and a greater utilization of information technology to drive more complete and immediate information availability. Perhaps most importantly, talent management in supply chain management needs to promote a focus not just on costs, but also on resilience as well as on learning from current events to improve decision-making.Social implicationsThere is a great opportunity for supply chain managers to grow their contribution to society beyond risk response into the proactive reduction of risks for the future. Researchers can serve society by informing this progress with impactful research.Originality/valueThis article offers initial empirical exploration of supply chain risks experienced in the context of COVID-19 and approaches considered in industry to improve supply chain resilience. Opportunities for empirical, event-based and less conceptual research that has been called for years, are identified. This research can help close the gap between supply chain resilience research and efforts in industry to improve supply chain resilience. Hopefully the research opportunities identified can inspire the flurry of research that can be expected in response to the multiple special issues planned by journals in our field.

Supply chain risk and uncertainty are critical factors that impact coal mining operations. Risks can arise from various sources such as natural disasters, supplier disruptions, market fluctuations, regulatory changes, and geopolitical uncertainties (Marzouk et al., 2022; Pettersen-Sobczyk, 2018). Managing these risks involves identifying, assessing, and implementing measures to mitigate and minimize potential losses. Uncertainties, on the other hand, stem from the lack of predictability or knowledge about future events and outcomes. They represent a level of unpredictability and the potential for surprises or unexpected events that can impact the supply chain. Overcoming uncertainties requires a resilient supply chain capable of preparing for unexpected events, responding to disruptions, and recovering from them while maintaining operational continuity (Adobor, 2020; Gunasekaran et al., 2015). Resilience capability allows a company to restore its operations to their original or desired state after being disturbed (Chowdhury &amp; Quaddus, 2017). However, despite the abundance of literature proposing resilience frameworks in supply chain management, their application within the context of coal mining remains relatively limited (Agrawal &amp; Pingle, 2020; Belhadi et al., 2022). Existing research in the field of coal mining has primarily focused on operational efficiency, cost reduction, and production optimization, with limited attention given to the concept of resilience. Therefore, this research aims to address this gap by developing a comprehensive resilience framework specifically tailored to the mining supply chain, with a focus on coal mining company. By incorporating the unique characteristics and challenges of the mining industry, such as geological uncertainties, complex extraction processes, and environmental regulations, this framework will provide valuable insights and strategies for enhancing the resilience capabilities of coal mining company. Keywords: Supply chain resilience, Coal mining, Disruptioin, Risk mitigation, Systematic literature review