Lean resilience: AURA (Active Usage of Resilience Assets) framework for post-COVID-19 supply chain management

Abstract

PurposeSupply chain resilience capabilities are usually considered in light of some anticipated events and are as passive assets, which are “waiting” for use in case of an emergency. This, however, can be inefficient. Moreover, the current COVID-19 pandemic has revealed difficulties in the timely deployments of resilience assets and their utilization for value creation. We present a framework that consolidates different angles of efficient resilience and renders utilization of resilience capabilities for creation of value.Design/methodology/approachWe conceptualise the design of the AURA (Active Usage of Resilience Assets) framework for post-COVID-19 supply chain management through collating the extant literature on value creation-oriented resilience and practical examples and complementing our analysis with a discussion of practical implementations.FindingsBuilding upon and integrating the existing frameworks of VSC (Viable Supply Chain), RSC (Reconfigurable Supply Chain) and LCNSC (Low-Certainty-Need Supply Chain), we elaborate on a new idea in the AURA approach – to consider resilience as an inherent, active and value-creating component of operations management decisions, rather than as a passive “shield” to protect against rare, severe events. We identify 10 future research areas for lean resilience integrating management and digital platforms and technology.Practical implicationsThe outcomes of our study can be used by supply chain and operations managers to improve the efficiency and effectiveness by turning resilience from passive, cost-driving assets into a value-creating, inclusive decision-making paradigm.Originality/valueWe propose a novel approach to bring more dynamics to the notion of supply chain resilience. We name our approach AURA and articulate its two major advantages as follows: (1) reduction of disruption prediction efforts and (2) value creation from resilience assets. We offer a discussion on ten future research directions towards a lean resilience.

Artificial intelligence for supply chain resilience: learning from Covid-19

“…However many organizations were not prepared for the practicalities of fulfilling online orders, and planning processes were ill-equipped to respond to the sudden increase in demand as a consequence of Covid-19. For many supply chains it therefore rapidly became apparent that an increased level of supply chain resilience was required (Ivanov, 2021;Queiroz et al, 2020;van Hoek, 2020). Developing supply chain resilience in response to disruption poses challenges; on the one hand there is large amount of uncertainty and on the other a significant amount of data is generated (Wamba et al, 2020c).…”

“…Developing supply chain resilience in response to disruption poses challenges; on the one hand there is large amount of uncertainty and on the other a significant amount of data is generated (Wamba et al, 2020c). Hence, due to uncertainty and vast data it becomes very difficult for supply chains to achieve their desired degree of resilience (Ivanov, 2021). In consequence, many firms are making short term predictions and focusing on strengthening their supply chain capabilities (Sundarakani et al, 2020).…”

“…Artificial intelligence can be considered as a fundamental enabler that strengthens resilience capabilities in the supply chain (Dwivedi et al, 2019). Covid-19 has highlighted the importance of supply chain resilience, which has been clearly evidenced as companies struggle to find ways to balance demand and supply (Ivanov, 2021). This section discusses the critical factors of artificial intelligence, supply chain resilience, and dynamic capabilities in terms of their ability to enhance supply chain resilience.…”

[Retracted] Digital Technology Empowers Grain Supply Chain Optimization Simulation

“…Studies have shown that the spectral emissivity analysis of corn canopy in different growth periods has been carried out using spectral analysis techniques, and the trend of reflectivity changes in the visible and near-infrared regions at different growth periods of maize is pointed out [18]. It gradually increases in the visible light range and gradually decreases in the near-infrared region [19]. Some scholars are doing nitrogen difference gradient experiments for different wheat varieties, showing that the differential spectrum of the canopy changes regularly with the increase in nitrogen level in the red border area.…”

New perspectives on supply chain resilience

“…Even before the pandemic, practitioners, researchers, and governments had all been calling for supply chains to become more resilient and responsive to disruptions (see Ali & Gölgeci, 2019;Kaufmann et al, 2018). Taken together, the four articles in this issue, and previous works in JBL (see Gabler et al, 2017;Goldsby et al, 2019) and related journals (Ali & Gölgeci, 2019;Chowdhury et al, 2019;Ivanov, 2021;Kaufmann et al, 2018) build on an extensive base of research in the area of SCML resiliency and complexity, as both are central to the development of effective SCML strategy. Although the contexts may differ, resilience is also widely researched in other disciplines, so we hope to see more interdisciplinary perspectives that will continue to advance the field's understanding of this phenomenon.…”