The role of collaboration in supply chain resilience
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore how collaboration influences supply chain resilience. Collaborative activities and their underlying mechanisms in relation to visibility, velocity and flexibility are investigated.
Design/methodology/approach
An exploratory case study consisting of eight buyer–supplier relationships in the food processing industry was conducted.
Findings
Key findings show how specific collaborative activities (information-sharing, collaborative communication, mutually created knowledge and joint relationship efforts) increase supply chain resilience via increased visibility, velocity and flexibility. Underlying mechanisms and interdependencies of these factors within the supply chain network are identified.
Originality/value
This is one of the first papers to provide in-depth insights into collaboration as a formative element of resilience in a supply chain setting. A series of propositions explain the specific influence of collaborative activities on supply chain resilience beyond a single company perspective.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge Professor Dr Jan de Vries for his useful suggestions on earlier drafts.
Citation
Scholten, K. and Schilder, S. (2015), "The role of collaboration in supply chain resilience", Supply Chain Management, Vol. 20 No. 4, pp. 471-484. https://doi.org/10.1108/SCM-11-2014-0386
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited