Supply chain agility as the antecedent to firm sustainability in the post COVID-19

Abstract

PurposeCOVID-19 has caused critical supply chain problems, especially in sustainable supply chain management, but very few empirical studies have been explored how to improve the firm sustainability through supply chain endeavours such as supply chain agility to manage the impacts of COVID-19. This paper aims to develop a model to incorporate supply chain agility and supply chain relationships that link firm sustainability to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted an online survey and collected 203 valid responses from businesses in the United Arab Emirates, and employed an exploratory factor analysis, mediated regression analysis and structural equation modelling methodology to test the models and hypotheses.FindingsThe authors find that the adoption of supply chain agility can improve supply chain relationships and positively impact sustainability. Meanwhile, supply chain relationships partially mediate the relationship between supply chain agility and sustainability. In addition, sustainability mitigates the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on supply chains.Originality/valueThe results provide fruitful insights and implications for the challenges and uncertainties caused by the pandemic post COVID-19 and provide several directions for further research.

Global logistics and supply chain integration in the digital era: a focus on China's Belt and Road Initiative

“…A new era of digitalisation in logistics and supply chains has begun, while the U.S.–China trade war remains unresolved. Global logistics and supply chain networks have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (Wang and Wang, 2023). Due to geopolitical factors, there will undoubtedly be more uncertainty post COVID-19 (Patricia et al ., 2020).…”

The effect of supply chain digitalisation on a firm’s performance

“…In addition, technology plays a vital role in facilitating information sharing, which is crucial for supply chain agility. Wang and Wang (2023) posit that supply chain agility is a dynamic capability, it involves the capacity to sense changes in the market or industry, seize opportunities, and transform the organisation's resources and capabilities to create and sustain a competitive advantage. Supply chain agility is essential for firms operating in rapidly changing and unpredictable environments.…”

“…Supply chain digitalisation plays a crucial role in enhancing the agility and responsiveness of businesses, this enables firms to bring changes and speed up problemsolving (Swafford et al, 2008;Wang et al, 2024). Moreover, supply chain agility, which is a dynamic capability, enables firms to respond quickly and effectively to sustainability-related challenges and opportunities (Wang and Wang, 2023;Geyi et al, 2020). This is particularly important in a rapidly changing business environment where sustainability issues such as climate change, social responsibility, and resource scarcity are becoming increasingly critical to business success (Seuring and M€ uller, 2008).…”

“…It is relatively new (Seyedghorban et al ., 2020); however, it has attracted growing attention in industry and academia (Seyedghorban et al ., 2020; Shashi et al ., 2020; Holmström et al ., 2019). The adoption of digital technologies, supply chain agility and innovation capability to improve supply chain operations has become an important trend post-COVID-19 (Seyedghorban et al ., 2020; Wang et al ., 2020a; Wang and Wang, 2023). Besides, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) drives the use of digital technologies, such as the blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, and ERP systems, etc.…”

“…The need to understand the mechanism between supply chain digitalisation and performance has led to a void in the current literature (Girod et al ., 2023; Holmström et al ., 2019; Wang and Wang, 2023). Our study seeks to fill this gap by considering supply chain agility and innovation capability and the mechanisms underlying the effects of supply chain digitalisation on a firm’s performance.…”