Supply Chain Sustainability and Resilience - Relationship and Congruent Capability Analysis based on Paradox Theory

Abstract

Current global supply chain events demonstrate how supply chain resilience and sustainability are intertwined and how both strategies can influence each other positively but as well as negatively. We aim to analyse the relationship of resilience and sustainability, understand the tensions between both supply chain strategies and to resolve them by applying the paradox theory. Thereby one resolution strategy is actively applied by analysing the capabilities in both domains. For this purpose, we conducted two systematic literature reviews including content analysis. This study identified several paradoxes among one of them related to congruent and divergent capabilities. As a result, we identified 29 congruent capabilities (e.g. collaboration, agility, transparency) and 200 related practices with the potential for developing a sustainable and resilient supply chain. In the same time several divergent capabilities were identified (e.g. redundancy) which can potentially cause tensions. This study demonstrates the relevance of a common consideration of both SC strategies, resiliency and sustainability. On the other side the importance of paradoxes and the need for better understanding of relationships during integration process within strategic management can be derived.