Firm disruption orientation and supply chain resilience: understanding mechanisms to mitigate disruption impact

Abstract

Purpose – This study aims to investigate the interplay between a proactive attitude towards disruptions – supply chain disruption orientation – and supply chain resilience, increasing our understanding of their influence on reducing the impact of supply chain disruptions within the B2B context.

Design/methodology/approach – As unexpected disruptions are closely related to a dynamic and changing perception of the environment, this research is framed under the Dynamic Capabilities lens, consistent with existing resilience literature. We used partial least squares-path modeling (PLS-PM) to empirically test the proposed research model using survey data from 216 firms.

Findings – Results show that a proactive approach to disruptions alone is insufficient in mitigating their negative impact. Instead, a firm’s disruption orientation plays a crucial role in boosting its resilience, which acts as a mediator, reducing the impact of disruptions.

Originality/value – This paper sheds light on the mechanisms by which firms can mitigate the impact of supply chain disruptions and offers insights into how certain capabilities are needed so that firms’ attitudes can effectively impact firm performance. This research thus suggests that dynamic capabilities, traditionally perceived as being enabled by other elements, act themselves as enablers. Consequently, they have the potential to translate strategic orientation or attitudes into tangible effects on performance, enriching our understanding of how firms combine their internal attitudes and capabilities to achieve sustained competitive advantage.