The impact of artificial intelligence and group effects on supply chain resilience in enterprises

The global spread of the recent coronavirus outbreak has disrupted supply chains in both unanticipated and unprecedented ways. In the wake of such numerous catastrophic incidents, the core notion of supply chain resilience has sparked the attention of countless researchers and practitioners. However, the supply chain resilience of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) remains rather underresearched to date. In such turbulent times, it is important to investigate the role of relationships in achieving supply chain resilience in the context of SMEs. Thus, the overall intention of this study is to explore the influence of supply chain relationships on the resilience of SME supply chains by exploring the impacts of both outsourcing and collaboration. A well-structured online questionnaire was administered by selecting respondents using stratified random sampling techniques. In order to measure all the variables, a 5-point Likert scale was used. The survey was administered to a total of 160 SMEs and 114 valid responses were returned (response rate of 71.25%). Quantitative data was analyzed using correlation and regression analysis with the help of SPSS tool. The results of the study revealed that both outsourcing, and collaboration positively influences supply chain resilience. Therefore, the study recommends SMEs to engage in outsourcing and collaborative processes to foster resilience in supply chains during turbulent times. To the best of the author’s knowledge the present study is one of the first study done regarding SME supply chain resilience in Sri Lanka. The study recommends SMEs to focus better on outsourcing techniques and collaborative procedures in order to nurture supply chain resilience. Therefore, the guidance of this study will provide future scholars and practitioners to pursue an effective study in the field. The present study was limited to quantitative methods to achieve the objectives of the study. Hence, the authors recommend future researchers to focus on qualitative methods that can aid in the advancement of knowledge. Keywords: Collaboration, COVID-19, Outsourcing, Small–Medium Enterprise (SME), Supply chain resilience.

Background: This study was prompted by the worsening of the mortality rate of South African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which is attributed to the emergence of the coronavirus disease pandemic. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore a strategic avenue to assist SMEs in withstanding market-related hindrances and boost their performance. This strategy is based on optimising SMEs’ supply chain agility by adopting supply chain resilience enablers such as supply chain alertness, visibility, robustness and velocity. Setting: This study focused on registered South African SMEs operating in the Gauteng, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. Method: The study was grounded in the positivist paradigm, which informed its quantitative nature. In total, 407 purposively selected supply chain management (SCM) professionals were identified. The correlation design was used to establish the perceptions of these SCM professionals of the study’s constructs and their predictive relationships using a questionnaire. Results: The results revealed that three of the four supply chain resilience (SCR) enablers, namely velocity, alertness and robustness, positively and significantly influence SMEs’ supply chain agility (SCA). In contrast, SMEs’ agile endurance significantly influences their performance. Conclusion: The study established the fact that supply chain resilience practices of alertness, velocity and robustness are critical antecedents of SMEs’ SCA capabilities. Furthermore, SCA was found to be a significant driver of SME performance. Contributions: This study contributes to the SCR discourse by outlining determinant practices that facilitate SCA and firm performance. Practically, the findings offer strategic insights into key success factors that must be implemented to sustain SMEs’ performance and survival prospects.

Purpose This study investigates the antecedents of supply chain resilience of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the effects of government assistance and disruption intensity in long-term disruptions. Design/methodology/approach This study collected data from 626 SMEs in Australia in 2022 and analysed data using partial least squares structural equation modelling. Findings The study empirically confirms that digital capabilities, prior experience in disruptions, supplier proximity and relationships are antecedents of supply chain resilience of SMEs, with supply chain robustness as a mediator. It further confirms that SMEs' access to government assistance positively moderates the relationship between digital capabilities and supply chain robustness. The disruption intensity moderates the relationships between supplier proximity and supply chain robustness with supply chain resilience. Severe disruptions weaken the effects of prior disruption experiences and supplier relationships on supply chain resilience. Practical implications The findings inform SME practitioners of the importance of building supply chain robustness, leveraging their prior experience, supplier proximity and relationships and capabilities and flexibility for dynamic supply chain structures when disruptions are intense. Originality/value The novelty of our study is the use of the Contingent Resource-Based View to understand the effects of firm and supply chain-level antecedents on supply chain robustness and resilience, considering the contextual contingencies of disruption intensity and government assistance. The focus on long-term disruptions extends the conventional supply chain resilience studies on supply and demand disruptions of small scale. We also explore the firm-level effects of government assistance, which extends the commonly tested economic-level effects. Furthermore, we investigate supply chain robustness and resilience as different but connected constructs, deviating from common approaches. The finding that the relationship between digital capabilities and supply chain robustness, not the relationship between digital capabilities and supply chain resilience, becomes stronger with higher access to government support shows the importance of this approach to investigating specific effects.

This study, grounded in Supply Chain Resilience Theory, explores the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on SMEs within international supply chains. It aims to understand how SMEs adapt to procurement disruptions, transportation issues, and inventory management challenges, offering insights to enhance their sustainability and resilience during crises. Using a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews with 10 supply chain professionals were conducted. The study focused on procurement, transportation, and inventory management to analyze pandemic-induced disruptions and SMEs’ resilience-building strategies. The research identifies key strategies employed by SMEs, such as revising procurement processes, optimizing transportation, and innovating inventory practices. These findings contribute to the understanding of challenges SMEs face and their efforts to maintain resilience. While the findings enhance conceptual understanding, the study is limited to perspectives within specific supply chain domains. Broader studies across diverse sectors are needed. The study offers strategies to strengthen SMEs’ supply chain resilience, aiding recovery from disruptions. Policymakers and practitioners can use these insights to design targeted support for SMEs. This research fills a gap in understanding how SMEs navigate global crises, contributing to academic discourse on resilience and providing a practical roadmap for enhancing SMEs’ adaptability.

PurposeIn today’s complex and globalised business setting, Australian clothing retailers are ever more vulnerable to supply chain disruptions. Supply chain resilience reduces the effect of a disruption, which permits the members of a supply chain to respond aptly to disruptive events. This study, hence, aims to uncover the details of how the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of clothing retailers in Australia build supply chain resilience and what are the major issues experienced by the SMEs while building resilience.Design/methodology/approachThis study is carried out using a descriptive qualitative research design, and data are collected from semi-structured interviews with key informants from managerial levels within the Australian clothing retailers’ businesses.FindingsThis study identifies five enablers, namely, collaboration, multi-sourcing, visibility, flexibility and information systems, that the SMEs of clothing retailers mostly consider to achieve resilience in the supply chain. This study also finds that SMEs’ capabilities, cost and financing, lack of managerial autonomy and the inability to create redundancy are the key impediments hindering SMEs from attaining the expected level of resilience.Originality/valueTo the best of the author’s knowledge, this study contributes to the body of knowledge by being one of the first empirical studies to explore the SMEs of clothing retailers’ supply chain resilience in the Australian business context, which can add valuable insights for academics and practitioners in guiding supply chain design decisions for the SMEs in other sectors.

PurposeThis research examines the relationships between the components of supply chain integration (SCI) (i.e. internal integration (INI), customer integration (CI) and supplier integration (SI)), supply chain risk management (SCRM) and supply chain resilience (SCRE), with disruption impact (DI) as the moderator, among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approach271 useable data were collected from Chinese SMEs to test the research model with two statistical approaches of PLS-SEM and ANN analysis.FindingsResults show that SCI (i.e. INI, CI and SI) positively affects SCRM, and subsequently affects SCRE. Moreover, SCRM has also been found to fully mediate the relationship between INI, CI and SI with SCRE. Additionally, DI was also found to moderate the relationship between SCRM and SCRE.Research limitations/implicationsThis study expands the supply chain management-related knowledge by empirically validating the mediating role of SCRM between the elements of SCI and SCRE, as well as empirically identifying DI as the moderator between SCRM and SCRE.Practical implicationsThe findings offer valuable understanding that can guide SME managers, owners and stakeholders in developing strategies for integrating with customers, suppliers and internal departments, as well as implementing SCRM practices to enhance SCRE performance.Originality/valueThe research expands the existing literature on the elements of SCI and SCRM in maintaining SCRE from an Asian developing country's perspective.

In the highly competitive Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face unique challenges in maintaining supply chain resilience. These businesses are often more vulnerable to disruptions, such as global crises, supply shortages, and shifts in consumer behavior. Integrating digital marketing strategies into supply chain management presents a solution that not only enhances resilience but also fosters growth and adaptability. Digital marketing provides SMEs with critical tools for improving visibility, engaging customers, and strengthening supply chains. E-commerce platforms, for instance, allow SMEs to diversify their sales channels, reducing reliance on traditional distribution networks. By embracing online marketplaces and direct-to-consumer models, these businesses can mitigate the risks associated with physical supply chain disruptions. This diversification also enhances their ability to reach new customer segments and expand into emerging markets. Social media marketing plays a crucial role in maintaining customer engagement during disruptions. Platforms such as Instagram and Facebook enable real-time communication with customers, providing updates on product availability, delivery timelines, and promotional offers. This strengthens customer loyalty and trust, which are essential for maintaining sales during times of uncertainty. Additionally, personalized content and targeted advertisements can help manage demand fluctuations, ensuring a balance between inventory and sales. Email marketing and customer relationship management (CRM) systems further enhance supply chain resilience by facilitating effective communication with both customers and suppliers. CRM tools allow SMEs to track customer preferences, forecast demand, and adjust marketing efforts based on real-time data. This level of agility enables SMEs to respond quickly to supply chain challenges, aligning their operations with market needs. By integrating digital marketing strategies into their operations, FMCG SMEs can achieve a more resilient, responsive, and customer-centric supply chain. The use of digital tools not only mitigates risks but also unlocks opportunities for growth in an increasingly digital world.

This study targets high-growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), investigating factors contributing to supply chain resilience (SC resilience) within the SCOR model paradigm. The study conducted qualitative research, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 16 key informants in Thailand, focusing on supply chain (SC) resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data analysis using Nvivo employs content and thematic analysis, leading to the development of the framework. The findings reveal main themes and subthemes relating to the relationship between SC resilience and the supply chain operations reference (SCOR) model. This comprehensive exploration extends further into novel subthemes associated with innovation creation, inventory management, financial and cash flow dynamics, as well as business partnerships. The study proposes a framework facilitating the integration of SC resilience with the SCOR model paradigm, empowering SMEs to navigate uncertain events or disruption. SMEs embracing innovative business practices can shape pathways for growth and business survival.

This research paper aims to explore the factors influencing supply chain resilience in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) operating within Sri Lanka's construction industry during economic crises. The study employed a qualitative approach. Data were collected using purposive sampling with a sample size of eight SMEs in the construction sector registered under the National Enterprise Development Authority of Sri Lanka. Using structured interviews, data were collected, and the responses were analysed using the Manual Thematic analysis procedure. The study findings states that collaboration, entrepreneurial orientation, internal integration, and outsourcing have been the main factors that have contributed to making the Sri Lankan construction supply chains resilient during Economic crisis. Therefore, it is recommended for the construction firms to focus and improve the presence of these factors in their respective supply chains, to make the supply chains more resilient. This study's significance lies in its focus on construction SMEs in Sri Lanka, offering insights from the perspective of manufacturers, which has been relatively unexplored in existing resilience related research. Although some research articles do touch upon this area, mostly these studies have been conducted in developed nations. Thus, this study contributes to the scant Sri Lankan supply chain resilience literature. Sri Lanka is making strong efforts to support its economy to combat the economic downturn and stabilize. Therefore, the findings of this paper will undoubtedly be useful for the Sri Lankan construction sector while aiding the country to flourish again. Keywords: Construction Industry, SMEs and Supply Chain Resilience.

This research determined some of the key factors that predict, moderate and mediate supply chain resilience (SCRes) and supply chain reconfiguration (SCRec). The interplay among underexplored five key capabilities and their influence on SCRes and SCRec within the context of Chinese small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector is the focus. The study uncovers the mediating role of SCRes in these dynamics. A comprehensive analysis of data from 284 managers utilising partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) and necessary condition analysis (NCA) reveals that four of these capabilities, namely to acquire, exploit, and transform (but not assimilate) resources, and to make alliances, have a positive and significant impact on SCRes, and subsequently influence SCRec. This research contributes to the literature by highlighting the importance of key capabilities in developing sustainable supply chains for manufacturing SMEs, enabling them to adapt more effectively to volatile business environments.

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.

Existing studies have predominantly explored the influence of supply chain resilience on the performance of firms in the context of developed economies. This study highlights the need for SMEs to be prepared to tackle uncertainties in business operations. Background: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a critical role in every economy, and limited studies have highlighted the significance of resilience in the firms. Therefore, this study aims to determine the impact of supply chain resilience on SMEs’ performance in Saudi Arabia based on three dimensions of resilience, namely agility, robustness, and flexibility. It aims to investigate how they relate to the dimensions of SMEs’ performance, namely production performance and market/sales performance. This study also investigates the overall impact of supply chain resilience as a construct on SMEs’ performance. Methods: This study employed a quantitative research design to answer the research questions. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The study was based on 255 samples of managers in SMEs from Saudi Arabia. The hypothesized model has been tested using the SPSS/Amos 26. Results: Based on the findings, it has been found that supply chain agility and flexibility had a significant positive relationship with SMEs’ production and marketing/sales performances. Supply chain robustness demonstrated a significant positive relationship with SMEs’ production performance but not their marketing/sales performances. Overall, there was a significant positive relationship between supply chain resilience and SMEs’ performance. Conclusions: This study contributes to the body of literature on supply chain resilience by expounding knowledge on aspects such as agility, flexibility, and robustness. The study enhances our understanding of the role of supply chain resilience on SMEs’ performance in an emerging economy context.

PurposeThis systematic literature review analyzes the academic literature to understand SC risk and resilience across different organizational sizes and industries. The academic literature has well discussed the causes of supply chain (SC) risk events, the impact of SC disruptions, and associated plans for SC resilience. However, the literature remains fragmented on the role of two fundamental elements in achieving SC resilience: the firm's size and the firm's industry as firms' contingent factors. Therefore, it is important to investigate and highlight SC resilience differences by size and industry type to establish more resilient firms.Design/methodology/approachBuilding upon the contingent resource-based view of the firm, the authors posit that organizational factors such as size and industry sector have important roles in developing organizational resilience capabilities. This systematic literature review and analysis is based on the structural and systematic analysis of high-ranked peer-reviewed journal papers from January 2000 to June 2021 collected through three global scientific databases (i.e. ProQuest, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar) using relevant keywords.FindingsThis systematic literature review of 230 high-quality articles shows that SC risk events can be categorized into demand, supply, organizational, operational, environmental, and network/control risk events. This study suggests that the SC resilience plans developed by startups, small and mdium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and large organizations are not necessarily the same as those of large enterprises. While collaboration and networking and risk management are the most crucial resilience capabilities for all firms, applying lean and quality management principles and utilizing information technology are more crucial for SMEs. For large firms, knowledge management and contingency planning are more important.Originality/valueThis study provides a comprehensive review of the literature on SC resilience plans across different organizational sizes and industries, offering new insights into the nature and dynamics of startups', SMEs', and large enterprises' SC resilience in different industries. The study highlights the need for further investigation of SC risk and resilience for startups, SMEs, and different industries on a more detailed level using empirical data. This study’s findings have important implications for researchers and practitioners and guide the development of effective SC resilience strategies for different types of firms.

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.

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically disrupted global supply chain management, significantly affecting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). This study investigates the profound impacts of the pandemic on SMEs’ supply chain operations, highlighting key challenges such as inventory shortages, logistical bottlenecks, and increased costs. The research draws on a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to provide a comprehensive analysis of how SMEs have adapted their supply chain strategies in response to the pandemic. Findings suggest that while SMEs were disproportionately affected by supply chain disruptions, those that swiftly adopted digital tools and diversified their supply chains were better positioned to mitigate risks. The study contributes to the growing body of literature on supply chain resilience, offering practical recommendations for SMEs to enhance their supply chain management in the face of future global disruptions.