Mitigating the effects of global disruptions on supply chains: gaining insights from the dairy industry during Covid-19

Abstract

This paper explores the dairy industry during peak Covid-19 disruption. Institutional theory is applied as a lens to investigate resilience factors and capacities at macro (industry), meso (supply chain) and micro (firm) levels. The methodology comprised four stages: in-depth interviews, retrospective literature review, intercoder reliability assessment, and a Delphi panel. Findings demonstrate execution of embedded resilience capacities but also the need for the dairy industry as an institution to dynamically adapt for advanced resilience. At the macro level, technology is highlighted as a critical resilience capacity. At the meso level, findings revealed that both lean and agile were key resilience capacities, exhibited by high levels of coordination, co-dependence, and communication. At the micro level, capacities such as ability to manage risk, skilled workforce, levels of automation, and financial stability were evident. Definition of these capacities and explanation of their adoption through an institutional theoretical lens delivers important contributions for advanced resilience.

Keywords:

• Resilience
• capacities
• institutional theory
• global disruption
• supply chain

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Notes

1 As the project was industry-led, ethics approval was not sought at either of the affiliated research institutes. However, participants gave full consent for data to be shared and disseminated for publication.

2 DelphiXX-XX = Coded Delphi Expert & Observation.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Fred Lemke

Fred Lemke, Ph.D., MBA, is Full Professor of Marketing & Sustainability at Vlerick Business School, Head of the Marketing Area, and leads management workshops on the interface of marketing, sustainability, innovation, value creation, customer experience, and reputation. He also holds Visiting Professorships at Strathclyde Business School, Newcastle University Business School, Ghent University, and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He has a strong B2B focus and publishes in practitioner magazines as well as in high impact academic journals (incl. Journal of Operations Management, Journal of Business Ethics, Journal of Product Innovation Management, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Supply Chain Management: An International Journal). Fred is Founder and Director of HORIZON22 and serves businesses in moving towards customer-centricity. As an expert in marketing and sustainability, Fred speaks frequently on international conferences on topics that impact modern business and society at large.

Erik Elgersma

Erik Elgersma is founder and director of Strategic Analysis Services BV – a Dutch-based globally active consulting firm in strategy, market and competitive intelligence and training. Prior to establishing his own company Erik worked for 20 years for FrieslandCampina NV, one of the world’s largest dairy companies. He fulfilled director roles in strategy, competitive and market intelligence, and innovation. Prior to that Erik worked in AkzoNobel in R&D, strategy, and market intelligence. Erik has affiliations with the VU Amsterdam, School of Business and Economics as visiting lecturer and with Vlerick School of Business as research fellow. He authored two books: The Strategic Analysis Cycle – Handbook, respectively Toolbook, published in 2017 by LID Business Media. Erik holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. from Delft University of Technology (Netherlands) and participated in executive education courses at among others Harvard Business School, IMD and Insead. He is an alumnus of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Vienna.

Beverly Wagner

Beverly Wagner is Professor of Innovation and Supply Chain Management at the University of Strathclyde. She is pioneering open innovation implementation in Scotland as the principal investigator on two Open Innovation Initiatives, supported by Scottish Enterprise. She is a certified SCRUM Master and Design Sprints Facilitator, with extensive expertise in supply chain management and innovation. She has been involved in research into formation and implementation of partnering and business alliances in the Drinks and Packaging sector, Microelectronics and the Oil and Gas Industries. Beverly is Editor in Chief of Supply Chain Management: An International Journal.

Natalie McDougall

Natalie McDougall is a Lecturer in Marketing at the University of Strathclyde. She holds a PhD in Marketing and an MSc in Supply Chain & Operations Management, both from the University of Strathclyde. Natalie’s research interests are focused on supply chain management, and surround topics of sustainability, competitiveness, innovation and resilience. Natalie engages with industry and policy makers throughout her research and is particularly interested in the food sector. Her work has been presented internationally and published in high ranking journals.