The impact of supply chain disruptions on the opportunity costs of road transport companies in Poland. A case study

Abstract

The mission of many businesses around the world is to strive for continuous growth in their operations, thereby increasing their operability and profits generated. There are at least several ways to do this - from increasing the scope of a company's operations to looking for weak links within the company, thus optimising the costs incurred. It so happens, however, that it is not internal conditions that shape the business entity, but external influences over which one does not always have control. It then remains to adapt to the new reality and, as far as possible, reduce its negative impact. The aim of the study was to analyse the disruptions created within supply chains and their impact on the transport company. The problem discussed referred to the issue of opportunity cost - in particular the cost of lost opportunities and benefits, in order to then propose changes and actions to reduce the adverse effects from external influences. Based on the research conducted, it can be concluded that disruptions in supply chains affect companies' opportunity costs (1). By identifying and analysing disruptions, several options for minimising opportunity costs can be identified (2). Considering the disruptions in supply chains under the impact of the global crises, the following are cited as the most relevant: disruptions related to on-time delivery, limited opportunities to hire new drivers and opportunities to acquire a new set of vehicles (3). These disruptions prevented the surveyed entity from expanding its operations and thus impacted on its opportunity costs.