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Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic Exposing the Shortcomings of Current Supply Chain Operations: A Long-Term Prescriptive Offering

Author

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  • Guiyang Zhu

    (School of Management, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
    Institute of Operations Research and Analytics, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117602, Singapore)

  • Mabel C. Chou

    (Institute of Operations Research and Analytics, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117602, Singapore
    Department of Analytics and Operations, NUS Business School, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119245, Singapore)

  • Christina W. Tsai

    (Department of Civil Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan)

Abstract

COVID-19 is a highly infectious respiratory virus that has posed a great threat to the general public. In order to prevent its spread, many governments have enacted stringent measures. Supply chains around the world are facing major disruptions and difficulties adjusting to the new demands and needs of a locked down world. In this paper, we will address the relationship between supply chain operations and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Given current global shortages in essential goods such as medication, we explore the connection between said shortage and supply chain issues, such as the lack of supply chain transparency and resilience, as well as unsustainable just-in-time manufacturing. To mitigate the effects of these issues and protect supply chain operations, we propose some recommendations, such as nationalizing the medical supply chains, adopting a plus one diversification approach, and increasing safety stock. These recommendations are given to not only mitigate current consequences in relation to the ongoing crisis, but also to suggest measures that will provide firms the resiliency needed to weather similar potential shortages in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Guiyang Zhu & Mabel C. Chou & Christina W. Tsai, 2020. "Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic Exposing the Shortcomings of Current Supply Chain Operations: A Long-Term Prescriptive Offering," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-19, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:14:p:5858-:d:387453
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kembro, Joakim & Näslund, Dag & Olhager, Jan, 2017. "Information sharing across multiple supply chain tiers: A Delphi study on antecedents," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 77-86.
    2. Detlef P. Van Vuuren & David L. Bijl & Patrick Bogaart & Elke Stehfest & Hester Biemans & Stefan C. Dekker & Jonathan C. Doelman & David E. H. J. Gernaat & Mathijs Harmsen, 2019. "Integrated scenarios to support analysis of the food–energy–water nexus," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 2(12), pages 1132-1141, December.
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