Supply chain resilience in relation to natural disasters: Framework development

Abstract

The existing literature provides multiple Supply Chain Resilience (SCRES) frameworks derived from studying individual natural disasters or a single supply chain (SC). These frameworks disagree in relation to the content, scope, theoretical approach and nature of the resilience phenomena. We utilise Structural Contingency Theory (SCT) to build on previously employed lenses and separate SCRES as a process from SCRES as a capability. While doing so we employ ‘points-in-time’ as a clear segmentation for forming separate stages in SCRES building, guiding practitioners and future research. A new framework is derived from the examination of the SCRES building process in 22 commercial SCs each being affected by one of 13 natural disasters. Being based on multiple case studies, the framework provides a consistent approach to observe SCRES but also can be modified to suit multiple contingencies. It consists of five active stages and one inactive stage and two previously unidentified actions.

Keywords:

• Supply chain resilience
• natural disaster
• framework
• case studies

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Adela Drozdibob

Dr Adela Drozdibob is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Queensland University of Technology, QUT Business School, Australia. She has significant industry experience and education from Europe, the U.S.A, Asia, and Australia. In addition to this, Drozdibob leads Education Division of Australian Serbian Commerce Chamber and supports development of international cooperation in higher education. Her research is focussed on resilience, natural disasters, operations in supply chain, and relationships and trust. Dr Drozdibob gained her Master of Environmental Engineering degree from Novi Sad University, Serbia and gain her education partially from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, Massachusetts and Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia. Her education was fully supported by scholarships for outstanding performance. Since earning PhD at Monash University, Melbourne, Drozdibob has presented on multiple international conferences.

Amrik Sohal

Dr Amrik S. Sohal is a Professor in the Department of Management, Monash Business School, Monash University. Professor Sohal joined Monash University in 1991, having previously held academic positions at the University of Melbourne and the University of Bradford (UK). At Monash University, he has held a number of positions at the faculty level including Associate Dean (Research), Associate Dean (Graduate Studies) and Associate Dean (India Development). He holds a PhD in Operations Management from the University of Bradford Management Centre in the UK, as well as a BEng (Hons) and an MBA, also from the University of Bradford. His current research focuses on process improvement and innovation, supply chains, circular economy and sustainable procurement. Professor Sohal has authored or co-authored over 250 papers published in refereed journals, as well as three books and a number of chapters contributed to books. Professor Sohal received multiple awards including the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Postgraduate Supervision, the award for research excellence and 2009 publication award from the International Association for Management of Technology, the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research, and the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Innovation and External Engagement. He was a Board member of the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM) for over 10 years and ANZAM President during 2009. In 2011, Professor Sohal was awarded Life Fellow of ANZAM.

Christopher Nyland

Dr Sajad Fayezi is an Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management and the Director of International, Research & Engagement at Memorial University in Canada. Dr. Fayezi’s research engages with debates around creating responsible supply chains through, for example, protecting human rights, mitigating modern slavery risks, and promoting sustainable operations and ethical sourcing. He has also worked on topics associated with tensions, risks, and resilience in global sourcing and supply chain management contexts.

Sajad Fayezi

Dr Christopher Nyland is a professor of management in the Monash Business School. His research centres on global business and politics, the history of management thought in the United States and education reform in China. He is currently centreing his research on how Western powers are responding to the competitive challenge posed by the rise of China and the impact this development is have on human capital accumulation in China.