To read this content please select one of the options below:

A new shape of the supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic

Yui-yip Lau (Division of Business and Hospitality Management, College of Professional and Continuing Education, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong)
Ranjith P.V. (Marketing Department, CHRIST (Deemed to be University) School of Business and Management, Bangalore, India)
Chan Eve Man Hin (Department of Design, Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong – Chai Wan Campus, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong)
Maneerat Kanrak (Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, Khon Kaen University, Nong Khai, Thailand)
Aparna J. Varma (Tharananellur Arts & Science College (TASC), Thrissur, Kerala)

Foresight

ISSN: 1463-6689

Article publication date: 30 November 2022

Issue publication date: 29 June 2023

1

Abstract

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a new normal for international business (IB) activities, leaving them pondering their next steps. The decreasing effectiveness of current vaccines to protect individuals against new variants have created uncertainty on how to respond to the new waves of the COVID-19 infection. This study aims to empirically assesses how IBs perceive the unfolding challenges in the supply chain due to the pandemic and the solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey data is obtained from 166 logistics professionals in Hong Kong and India.

Findings

The results reveal that returns on investment, logistics, delays and imports are the most affected areas. The most often recommended solutions for supply chain management (SCM) include using local manufacturing capabilities, analytics and automation, offering better customer service, providing more effective transportation means, ensuring diligence around optimization and focusing on sustainability.

Originality/value

The findings of this study help to improve supply chain operations. This study also provides recommendations for changes to SCM in response to the new normal.

Keywords

Citation

Lau, Y.-y., P.V., R., Man Hin, C.E., Kanrak, M. and Varma, A.J. (2023), "A new shape of the supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic", Foresight, Vol. 25 No. 4, pp. 578-596. https://doi.org/10.1108/FS-04-2022-0035

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

Related articles