Supply Chain Professionals Research Articles

ROLE OF CLOSE-LOOP SUPPLY CHAIN ON ACHIEVING TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE IN FMCG SECTOR OF MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY

The purpose of this study is to explore the role of close-loop supply chain in achieving triple bottom line approach in FMCG sector of manufacturing industry. To identify the strategies organizations implement for close-loop supply chain and the perception of supply chain professionals regarding close-loop supply chain and triple bottom line. This study highlights the strategies and initiative taken by the organization in order to achieve triple bottom line and the perception of the supply chain professional regarding the link between close-loop supply chain and triple bottom line (corporate profitability, consumer profitability and environmental sustainability). This study is based upon inductive approach which helps to generate a perception of the managers of FMCG manufacturers. This study identifies the significance of integration among the members of supply chain and emphasis on equal responsibility of every member towards environment.
 In order to explore the perception of the managers and organizations in-depth interviews were taken through an interview protocol which consist of open ended questions. The interviews were taken from the different organizations of Karachi. Secondary data is also used by collecting data from past articles, websites, journals and research papers.
 After content analysis of in-depth interviews, researcher came on conclusion that there is need to create awareness about the usage of recycled materials and triple bottom line among the corporate world. Also there is no proper guideline for the organizations to follow for the betterment of the environment. The concept of close-loop supply chain and triple bottom line of supply chain professionals of Karachi is vague. There must be proper enforcement by the concerned authorities on following the guideline provided by GRI (Global Resource Initiative).

Modeling Barriers in Circular Economy Using TOPSIS: Perspective of Environmental Sustainability & Blockchain-IoT Technology

Climate change poses a real risk, as does a shortage of resources to accommodate the world's rising population. Every nation is trying to produce maximum without caring for the environment. As a result, the circular economy (CE) is critical to the long-term sustainability of society, business and the environment. Government and policymakers are forcing industries and organizations to adopt or establish CE in their businesses to protect the environment. However, the concept of CE is unclear, and there are various hurdles and barriers to adopting a CE in industries and organizations. For a sustainable environment, CE barrier management plays a crucial role. This paper aims to explore and prioritize barriers to establishing a CE. A detailed methodological literature review is carried out to explore the twenty-nine barriers in CE. The various barriers to CE are prioritized using the Multi-criteria decision-making methods Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Based on the TOPSIS barrier of increased emission and pollution while recycling was found to be a top rank and the barrier of tedious environmental regulations and lack of government support was found to be at the lowest rank. The top priorities are the barriers to increasing emission and pollution while recycling, radically changing production, and lack of public participation in using recycled products. The Blockchain-IoT architecture and strategies are developed to mitigate all these barriers. As in CE, resources are not ending as these are recyclables since products are made to last several life cycles. Product's lifespans are extended by maintaining, repairing and re-manufacture to reduce carbon footprints in the environment. This barrier ranking will help supply chain professionals and business executives analyze the failure to implement CE in industries. Strategies and architecture based on blockchain-IoT will also help in mitigating the barrier in CE. This study will give new dimensions for the adaption of CE in industries. CE will create sustainable ecosystems for soil, air and water. These sustainable ecosystems provide a long and healthy life for all living things on this planet.

Impact of social media technologies on environmental collaboration and green innovation: a mediation–moderation model

PurposeDrawing upon information processing theory (IPT) and natural resource-based view (NRBV), this study analyses the role of social media technologies (SMT) on internal and external environmental collaboration and green innovation (green product, process and managerial innovation).Design/methodology/approachThis study took in-depth empirical research by developing a survey questionnaire to identify the relationship between SMTs, environmental collaboration and green innovation. The respondents of the questionnaire were supply chain professionals working in the manufacturing industry of Pakistan. The survey collected 475 responses, which were tested through PLS-SEM using Smart-PLS.FindingsThe study results indicate that SMTs positively influence both internal and external environmental collaboration. Furthermore, internal environmental collaboration (IEC) fosters green products and green managerial innovation. In contrast, external environmental collaboration (EEC) fosters green processes and green managerial innovation. This study has also tested the mediation of IEC and EEC, which shows that both IEC and EEC mediate all the relationships except green process and green product innovation. The results also revealed that innovation capabilities moderate the relationship between environmental collaboration and green innovation.Research limitations/implicationsThough this study has various practical implications, it is not free of limitations. First, the data were collected from Pakistan, and the results may only be compared with other developing countries. Second, few social media platforms have been considered, but they are increasing in numbers and could be used in upcoming studies. Third, green innovation in the context of products, processes and management is considered, but the concept is evolving, and its other indicators can be taken in upcoming studies.Practical implicationsThis study addresses the implication of SMTs, environmental collaboration, innovation capabilities and green innovation, which are helpful for managers and policymakers to design policies.Originality/valueThis study provides the seminal operationalization of SMTs in environmental collaboration and green innovation. This study emphasizes innovation capabilities that firms should adopt.

Supply Chain Integration and Its Impact on Operating Performance: Evidence from Chinese Online Companies

The present study explores the effect of supply chain integration on the operational performance of an internet-based online business based in China. The study is based on primary data collected through a questionnaire distributed to supply chain professionals of the stated companies. After distributing the questionnaire and collecting the responses, an exploratory factor analysis is conducted to validate the instrument. Afterward, the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) analysis is conducted, and finally, the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique is used to determine the validity of the research hypotheses. The results indicate that integrating different aspects of the supply chain positively impacts the operating performance, improving the financial performance of the companies involved in the integration process.

The influence of supply chain immunity perceptions on COVID-19 vaccine willingness in supply chain professionals

PurposeThis study examines the lack of confidence in the actions of the government and pharmaceutical companies during vaccine deployment. The authors introduce the concept of supply chain immunity. The authors test whether the perception of higher vaccine supply chain immunity leads to higher willingness to be vaccinated within the supply chain community.Design/methodology/approachThe authors utilize factor analysis and item response theory methods to develop a scale for measuring supply chain immunity. The original and psychometrically sound scale is tested via a structural equation model (SEM). Factor analysis and SEM use survey responses from two samples of 125 supply chain executives.FindingsSEM suggests that supply chain immunity perceptions are a strong predictor of overall supply chain confidence for COVID vaccines. Further, these perceptions, through supply chain confidence, indirectly impact individuals' self-reported willingness to personally accept a vaccine themselves.Originality/valueThis paper presents the concept of supply chain immunity perceptions that have not been used in the medical supply chain literature. This paper presents a first-of-a-kind scale for supply chain immunity perceptions utilizing nascent methods and demonstrates the constructs impact on vaccine program confidence and public willingness to participate.

Does the stakeholder's relationship affect supply chain resilience and organizational performance? Empirical evidence from the supply chain community of Pakistan

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to investigate the role of the stakeholder's relationship with supply chain resilience (SCR) and organizational performance (OP) using the lens of stakeholder theory in the manufacturing and service industry. Investigating the supply chain community in Pakistan, this paper explores the relationship between SCR, OP and the stakeholder's relationship (including customers and suppliers).Design/methodology/approachA partial least square (PLS) – structural equation modeling (SEM) technique using SmartPLS 3.3.3 was used to test the hypotheses. Data were collected through a survey (questionnaire) completed by 202 supply chain representatives. All respondents were supply chain professionals working in different organizations in Pakistan.FindingsThe findings of the study revealed that supplier relationship (SR) and customer relationship (CR) have a positive and significant impact on SCR and a positive and significant relationship between SCR and OP. A positive and significant relationship between customer relationship and OP was also noted. The mediating role of SCR is also found positive and significant.Practical implicationsThe outcomes of the study will help managers to strengthen SCR through relationship management. The study is also helpful to increase OP through stakeholder management.Originality/valueThis study empirically tests an inclusive model with a PLS-SEM technique where SCR plays a mediating role in the mechanism, which is crucial since the supplier and customer (stakeholder) relationship has been never tested to gauge the OP by positioning SCR as a mediator while using the lens of stakeholder theory.

Types of ERP Systems and Their Impacts on the Supply Chains in the Humanitarian and Private Sectors

(1) Background: This paper explores different ERP systems used in the supply chains of humanitarian and private sectors and their key impacts on supply chain performance. The study examined 19 potential impacts from the published literature from 2015 to 2020 and investigated whether they are equally relevant in the global private and humanitarian sectors. (2) Methods: An anonymous online questionnaire was used and advertised on different social media websites. Fifty humanitarian supply chain professionals and 53 private sector professionals completed the questionnaire. A descriptive statistic cross-tabulation analysis was used to show the differences or similarities in the collected responses, and a Mann–Whitney Test was used to test the research hypotheses. (3) Results: The findings highlighted the key impacts of ERP systems on supply chain performance and confirmed that these impacts are similar in both sectors. Additionally, the humanitarian sector prefers to implement custom-made ERPs, whereas the private sector purchases ready-to-use products. (4) Conclusions: The reviewed literature did not show studies conducting such a comparative study. The results provide a better understanding of the types of ERP systems and their impacts on supply chain operations within the two examined sectors.

Influence of Green Purchasing and Green Packaging on Sustainability and Operational Performance: A Case Study from E-Commerce Industry

The increase in supply chain management concerns waste management, pollution, and others have led to a more concerned opinion from the stakeholders. Businesses all over the world are facing challenges in implementing processes and applying strategies in the long run to limit the overall environmental impact. The focus of the research is to develop a better understanding of sustainable supply chain management practices and to determine the relevance of SSCM with a focus on sustainability and performance. The subject's relevance is derived from understanding the sustainability and supply chain management theory, and focused hypotheses are developed. The researcher carried out a quantitative research methodology with a survey questionnaire designed and developed on Google Forms and was provided to the supply chain professionals in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. The researcher collected a total of 153 responses based on the statistical analysis. The outcomes derived from the regression analysis allow us to understand that the application of green purchasing has no significant impact on the overall performance; however, a weak positive impact on the sustainability of the business is evident. However, sustainable purchasing is found to impact overall performance and sustainability positively.

The Impact of Digital Transformation on Supply Chain Procurement for Creating Competitive Advantage: An Empirical Study

This study examined the impact of digital transformation (DT) on supply chain procurement (SCP) for the creation of competitive advantage (CAD). This study adopted a quantitative approach using a survey administered to 221 supply chain (SC) professionals through the professional networking website LinkedIn. The conceptual model was evaluated with the partial least squares-based structural equation model (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS. The findings showed that DT has significant positive impacts on SCP and CAD, and that SCP has a significant positive impact on CAD. Supply chain procurement plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between DT and CAD. The findings are useful for decision-makers investing in digitally modernising their SC processes. The study recommends starting the DT of an SC with procurement, as procurement is a complex process involving a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. The results show that digital procurement may be an SC game changer in a competitive market. The study provides initial guidelines for a transition from traditional to smart procurement (procurement 4.0). Despite the prevalence of studies on SCP, there is a lack of empirical evidence on how DT of procurement functions can lead to sustainable CAD.

Blockchain technology in supply chains

Aim: Blockchain technology (BCT) is a relatively new technological development, promising strong gains in the areas of product traceability and visibility, end-to-end coordination (E2E), governance, and efficiency of supply chains. The aim of this study is to gain a better understanding of the impact of BCT on these performance measures.
 Design / Research methods: Hypotheses were tested with survey data from 119 supply chain professionals from Northern American SMEs.
 Conclusions / findings: The results confirm the positive impacts of BCT on all performance measures. E2E coordination is the integration of information, goods, and money within an organisation or supply chain. E2E coordination appeared to benefit from the use of BCT, enabling information sharing in a safe way. The findings suggest that BCT use fosters E2E coordination, which in its turn also positively affects financial performance.
 Originality / value of the article: Despite the increasing interest in and use of, BCT, there is little empirical evidence for the effect on supply chain performance. Many studies are anecdotal and lack empirical evidence.
 Implications of the research (if applicable): Companies should acknowledge the impact of BCT use on the various supply chain performance measures. Implementing and using BCT is likely to foster improvement in a wide range of performance indicators. 
 Limitations of the research (if applicable): Companies use different types, versions, varieties, and forks of blockchain, all having their own strong and weak points. Future studies could investigate and include the nuances within different forks of BCT.

Improving management of vaccine supply chains: A multi-methods evaluation of vSTEP in Zambia

BackgroundEquipping supply chain professionals at all levels of the health care systems with essential leadership and management skills is essential to achieving global immunization targets. Numerous and diverse professional development initiatives have been established to support vaccine supply chain managers in Gavi-eligible countries. However, COVID-19 catalyzed rapid innovation in approaches to support leadership development in times of rapid change, and systematic evaluation of these approaches can inform future workforce development strategies to ensure resilient health systems. Therefore, we sought to evaluate outcomes and short-term impact of the fully virtual Strategic Training Executive Program 2.0 (vSTEP 2.0) program in Zambia on participant engagement, skill development, and application of new skills to improve supply chain performance. MethodsWe used a multi-method design to describe the outcomes and short-term impact of vSTEP 2.0 at three levels: (1) delegate response to the training experience (including participation, completion, and satisfaction); (2) delegate change in leadership skill (including achievement of learning objectives and change in competencies); and (3) application of new skills to impact supply chain performance. ResultsThe program achieved high levels of engagement and an 83% graduation rate despite the length and rigor of the program. High satisfaction was evidenced by positive feedback from delegates on the quality and relevance of the program, especially in the context of COVID response (100% would "definitely" recommend). Delegates demonstrated significant growth in all domains of leadership competencies and applied their learnings to address a complex challenge in supply chain performance in their home organization. DiscussionThese findings demonstrate a strong appetite for leadership development support among vaccine supply chain professionals, especially in times of rapid change such as during the COVID response. These results also demonstrate the feasibility and impact of a fully virtual model for leadership development, with implications well beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Operationalizing resilience through collaboration: the case of Sri Lankan tea supply chain during Covid-19.

This paper investigates the impact of subcomponents of collaboration: information sharing, connectivity, coordination, integration, and visibility on the tea supply chain resilience of Sri Lanka during the Covid-19 pandemic. This research was carried out with mixed methods. The quantitative approach adopted a systematic random sampling technique to determine the sample size (n = 137), whereas the qualitative study used the purposive sampling technique to determine the sample size (n = 6). Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to tea supply chain professionals and structured interviews were conducted to collect data for the qualitative approach of the study. This study found that all the subcomponents of collaboration positively impacted on tea supply chain resilience during the Covid-19. Moreover, connectivity and coordination have the highest positive impact on tea supply chain resilience while the other three sub-components: information sharing, integration and visibility have significant but relatively less positive impact on supply chain resilience. Thus, tea exporting companies must prioritise, take action steps for enhancing connectivity and coordination when formulating supply chain strategies to enable supply chain resilience. The study being one of the latest empirical studies taking Sri Lankan tea supply chain as a case study, contributes to the knowledge having identified the impact of sub-components of collaboration on tea supply chain resilience during Covid-19. Sri Lanka is one of the most vulnerable middle-income countries and its economy suffered severely during the Covid-19 outbreak. The findings will be supportive in making tea supply chains much stronger, providing a robust contribution to the country’s GDP as part of Sri Lanka’s national efforts in economic rebuilding.

The digitalization of supply chain management in Romanian companies: an introductive research

Abstract This study aims to identify from supply chain professionals employed in different Romanian companies from various industries what the digitalization status of the supply chain is. Companies, with regard to their size and industry, are not fully digitalized and this is because their focus usually lays on their main activity line and less on the rest of the processes involving supply chain management. Digitalization is adopted differently and most companies face different problems in adopting and implementing new technology. Based on a semi-structured interview with in-depth questions, this paper investigates the digitalization status of selected firms’ supply chain management systems. Results aim to understand the future trends in the supply chain in Romania and identify some best practices with practical relevance for managers. The interviewed managers managed to bring up the digitalization state of their companies supply chain practices, what are the main barriers they need to overcome to remain competitive and also how they manage change within the employees ranks. The study identified within different industries that supply chain practices are partially digitalized and require constant development and improvement. Based on the discussions revealed by our study, professionals and academics can further explore what the implementation of cutting edge or disruptive technology involves for supply chain management in the broad context of digital transformation.

Relationship between Green Supply Chain Management, Supply Chain Quality Integration, and Environmental Performance

This study aims to investigate the relationship between green supply chain management and supply chain quality integration on environmental performance. A quantitative approach was adopted for this study; a multi-item measurement scale was adapted from previous studies to collect primary data—the total number of 212 responses from supply chain professionals were collected. Descriptive analysis along with the correlation examination was utilized to test the hypothesis. It was observed that all the hypotheses (H1, H2, H3, and H4) were supported. Customer green purchasing, green customer cooperation, supplier quality integration, and customer quality integration were found significantly related to the environmental performance. So the study concluded that implementing green supply chain management practices in the firm is beneficial and it enhances the firm's environmental performance. This detailed research analysis will play an active role for the supply chain executives in taking effective decisions that will ultimately enhance environmental performance. This research study will facilitate the managers and all decision makers by providing directions and guidance for improving the level of performance of the environment.

The acceptance and continued use of blockchain technology in supply chain management: a unified model from supply chain professional's stance

PurposeThis study pinpoints the critical factors influencing the acceptance of blockchain technology in supply chain management in the light of the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) with additional factors personal innovativeness in technology and user's self-efficacy.Design/methodology/approachThe questionnaire-based data was obtained from SC professionals in China (Beijing). The essential factors influencing it are evaluated through structural equation modeling (SEM), using AMOS software.FindingsThe empirical findings specify that performance expectancy, facilitating conditions, price value, hedonic motivation, user self-efficacy, and personal innovativeness are positively influencing user satisfaction. User satisfaction has a substantial progressive effect on habit. Furthermore, facilitating conditions, price value, habit, user self-efficacy, personal innovativeness, and user satisfaction have a progressive impact on continued intention to use blockchain technology in supply chain management.Originality/valueAlthough numerous studies investigated the influencing factors of blockchain technology adoption in supply chain management, no study examined the determinants of UTAUT2. However, this study not only empirically studied the UTAUT2 model but also extended it with the most influencing elements such as personal innovativeness in technology and user's self-efficacy. Furthermore, this study contributes to the BT-enabled SCM literature by studying the continued use and acceptance, rather than testing behavioral intention and initial adoption which is common in previous studies of BT-enabled SCM. Finally, this study discusses the limitations, future directions, and managerial implications of the results so that supply chain professionals can deliver what supply chain stakeholders require.

Link between Industry 4.0 and green supply chain management: Evidence from the automotive industry

The paper evidence the link between two paradigms - Industry 4.0 and Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) following an empirical study conducted in the automotive industry.243 responses from the automotive supply chain professionals from Europe (including the UK) are used to test the developed hypotheses. An integrated, two-stage approach combining interpretive structural modelling and structural equation modelling develops a multi-level hierarchical structure for establishing the link between Industry 4.0 technologies, Green Supply Chain (GSC) practices and GSC performance.The study evidenced an indirect effect of Industry 4.0 technologies through GSC practices on GSC performance; and this link is found to be stronger than the direct effect of Industry 4.0 and GSC practices in the automotive supply chains.Future supply chains should focus on driving and linking technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) and Blockchain for effective implementation of GSC practices. GSC practices, mainly reverse logistics and green purchasing, are highly influenced by disruptive technologies and are critical for leading improvement in GSC performance.Identifying and linking key Industry 4.0 technologies with GSC practices will benefit organizations in making evidence-informed decisions for improved sustainability performance.

Achieving Supply Chain 4.0 and the Importance of Agility, Ambidexterity, and Organizational Culture: A Case of Indonesia

This study explores the key determinants of Supply Chain 4.0 (SC4.0) maturity in the context of a developing country by examining the relationships between supply chain ambidexterity, supply chain agility, and the maturity of SC4.0. The study was carried out using the survey method involving 154 managers from Indonesian manufacturing companies. The SC4.0 maturity model was developed and tested using structural equation modeling. From our analysis, it was found that supply chain ambidexterity emphasizing on innovation positively influences the companies’ agility and SC4.0 maturity levels, and supply chain agility partially mediates supply chain ambidexterity. This paper contributes to the operationalization of SC4.0 maturity determinants that incorporate innovation and technological aspects and extends the extant literature by empirically elaborating the determinants and antecedents of SC4.0 maturity that may expedite the achievement of SC4.0 maturity. This implies that companies and supply chain professionals aiming at achieving their SC4.0 maturity should do so by being outward-looking and, at the same time, foster supply chain collaboration with external networks. This paper is pioneering the empirical study on SC4.0 and offers a means to achieving SC4.0 maturity through SC ambidexterity and SC agility, particularly in the context of a developing country.

Challenges and pathways to green supply chain management: Evidence from manufacturing sectors in an emerging economy

AbstractThis study aimed to identify the challenges in implementing green supply chain management (GSCM) practices in Bangladeshi manufacturing industries and pathways to address those challenges. Data were collected through semi‐structured interviews and analysed employing thematic analysis (N = 20, mean age = 42 years). The results demonstrated that among other challenges that impede implementing GSCM practices in the Bangladeshi manufacturing sector, lack of organizational policy, lack of infrastructure and technology, lack of knowledge, lack of management support and interest, and financial constraints are the significant ones. The findings also reported that setting and implementing effective organizational policies, monitoring, allocating sufficient resources, building informed and open collaboration with suppliers, developing knowledge and awareness, introducing environmental educational subjects and programs, and providing training and orientation programs may be effective pathways in implementing GSCM practices manufacturing firms can use to overcome challenges for GSCM practices. The findings may help managers, policymakers, supply chain professionals, and the management of the manufacturing industries to identify and address challenges of applying GSCM practices in Bangladesh.

Multi-tier analysis of the medical equipment supply chain network: empirical analysis and simulation of a major rupture

PurposeWhile a global supply network can provide stability to address localized interruptions, however, the recent global pandemic materialized many concerns and risks associated with the global supply network. Considering the short-term and long-term effects of changes in the global supply chain, this research explores how the location characteristics of the firms across the supply chain affect their performance.Design/methodology/approachUsing the mined data from five tiers of the backward supply chain of medical equipment, the authors constructed a large supply chain network consisting of close to 160,000 dyadic connections. The authors used various network centrality and clustering algorithms to measure the influence of each firm across the supply chain structure. Furthermore, the authors ran a scenario to simulate the elimination of Chinese firms from the global supply chain and recalculated all centralities. Regression analysis was used to measure the effect of supply chain network centralities on firms' performance across the supply chain with and without Chinese firms.FindingsThe complexity of global purchasing across global tiers of supply networks had been recognized as a source of uncertainty before the COVID-19 pandemic. This pandemic was the black swan that the medical supply chain professionals had noted its threat in recent years. While a global supply network can provide stability to address localized interruptions, however, the recent global pandemic materialized many concerns and risks associated with the global supply network. Considering the short-term and long-term effects of changes in the global supply chain, this research explores how the location characteristics of the firms across the supply chain affect their performance.Research limitations/implicationsThis research has three main implications. First, it provides a benchmark for manufacturing firms and distributors around the world operating in the post-COVID-19 business environment to better understand the relationship of their supply chain strategy and firms' financial performance. Second, investors and asset managers can evaluate their portfolios in light of the changing relationship as a result of possible protectionism initiatives. Finally, policymakers can apply the research methodology of this work in various industries while reevaluating post-COVID-19 international relations and trades policies at the firm, industry and country levels.Practical implicationsPolicymakers working on global connection can utilize the outcome of this research to explore the consequences of local and global policies on trade patterns, organizational performance as well as individuals' movements. Another implication of this study for policymakers is that it provides a powerful simulation and analytical tool to launch or combat the global ruptures, including trade wars and natural disasters stemming from natural events (e.g. climate change) and human-made events (e.g. wars, supply-chain interruptions, sanctions).Originality/valueTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first large-scale empirical study that measures the effect of supply chain structure across multiple (five) tiers of the global supply chain on firms' performance. The present study uses the original supply chain network data mined by the authors from financial publications.

Who shares wins? Understanding barriers to information sharing in managing supply chain risk

PurposeCurrently there is no universally accepted approach to supply chain risk management and assurance. To begin to shed more light on the practical operational challenges presented when considering supply chain risk mitigation through the sharing of information, this paper discusses the results of an empirical study conducted with manufacturing supply chain professionals. The study examines state-of-the-art challenges to managing risk in today's supply chains by reporting on data collected in 2021.Design/methodology/approachTo develop a rich picture of the challenges of information sharing in multi-tier supply chains, the authors adopted a qualitative research design. The authors conducted 14 interviews with supply chain professionals and ran two focus groups that were industry specific: one focused on the nuclear industry and the other on automotive.FindingsThe study identifies contemporary practical challenges to information sharing in supply chains – specifically challenges related to data quality and the acceptance of sub-optimal normative supply chain practices, which have consequences for supplier assurance fatigue and supply chain transparency.Originality/valueThe topical and contemporary study shows how an acceptance of the normative practices of a supply chain can have a cumulative effect on the likelihood of supply chain disruption due to shortcomings in approaches to information sharing. The notion of the acceptance of the status quo in this context has received limited research attention, and hence offers an extension to current discourse on supply chain risk and resilience.