How can companies maintain supply chains during pandemics?

Impact of COVID-19 on the UK Supply Chain: A Critique of Agile Framework

Introduction

Research Background

Like other major economies, the UK’s supply chain has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing companies to resort to different frameworks to counter the impact. Adopting an agile framework in the supply chain is founded on the need to shorten lead time and enhance companies’ competitiveness. According to Alzoubi et al. (2021), the agile framework incorporates critical aspects of continuity and integration with other applicable solutions to add value to the customer and improve the overall dependability of a supply chain. However, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted the global and local supply chains. Initial reports indicated that the impact of the pandemic on businesses in the supply chain sector was indefinite, meaning companies will need much time to resume their pre-COVID-19 supply chains (Magableh, 2021).

Notably, there are concerns about the effectiveness of the agile framework in supply chains during unforeseen events in the magnitude of COVID-19. Contrary to an agile framework, a complex framework is flexible, allowing to absorb the shocks of unforeseen incidents that would otherwise disrupt supply chains. Similarly, Sinha, Bagodi, and Dey (2020) point that companies need to expand their supply chain frameworks to adopt dynamic models ideal for responding to different macro-environment factors like epidemics. Therefore, there is a need for considering new evidence and solutions for supply chains to counter the agile framework.

Research Questions

  1. What are the challenges of the agile framework in uncertain situations?
  2. How can companies maintain supply chains during pandemics?

Research Aim and Objectives

The proposed study aims to establish new solutions to supply chain management for improved efficiency and continuity. The following objectives will guide the researcher in meeting the research aim:

  1. To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on supply chain.
  2. To identify the most sustainable framework in supporting the supply chain during pandemics.
  3. To establish trends in supply chain management following the COVID-19 pandemic