Supply chain characteristics and disruption mitigation capability: an empirical investigation in China

Abstract

This research investigates the impact of supply chain characteristic factors on disruption mitigation capabilities. We intend to derive specific supply chain factors that either contribute to or conversely impact a firm's supply chain disruption mitigation capabilities. We find that supply chain geographic dispersion has a negative impact on a firm's disruption mitigation capabilities. Supply chain agility has a positive impact on a firm's disruption recovery capability. Supply chain integration has direct positive impacts on a company's disruption warning capability and recovery capability. And supply chain visibility enhances a company's disruption warning capability. In addition, high level of disruption warning capability enhances a company's disruption recovery capability. The results offer guidelines for supply chain managers to enhance disruption mitigation capabilities through understanding the role of supply chain characteristic factors.

Keywords:

• supply chain disruption
• mitigation capability
• geographic dispersion
• integration
• agility
• visibility

Acknowledgements

This research is sponsored in part by National Natural Science Foundation of China under grants No. 71072064 and 70872078. The author would like to thank the referees for valuable suggestions and comments.