How big data analytics can help manufacturing companies strengthen supply chain resilience in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

What is it about?

In this paper, the authors emphasize that, similar to other pandemics (Spanish flu of 1918), COVID-19 pandemic is a serious pandemic as it continues to cause deaths and long-term health effects; followed by economic, social, ethical and ecological impacts upon individuals and businesses. COVID-19 pandemic has created the most prolonged crisis in the 21st century and has disrupted supply chains globally. Organizations depended on international sources for procurement of materials have faced a huge setback due to lockdown and closure of international borders. This study questions ‘can technological inputs such as big data analytics help to restore strength and resilience to supply chains post COVID-19 pandemic?’; towards which authors identified risks associated with purchasing and supply chain management by using a hypothetical model to achieve supply chain resilience through big data analytics. The hypothetical model is tested by using the PLS-SEM technique on the primary data collected from the manufacturing industries. It is found that big data analytics tools can be used to help to restore and to increase resilience to supply chains. Internal risk management capabilities were developed during the COVID-19 pandemic that increased the company’s external risk management capabilities. The findings provide valuable insights in ways to achieve improved competitive advantage and to build internal and external capabilities and competencies for developing more resilient and viable supply chains. To the best of authors’ knowledge the model is unique and this work advances literature on supply chain resilience.

Featured Image