Reforming global supply chain management under pandemics: The GREAT-3Rs framework

The recent outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has posed serious threats and challenges to global supply chain management (GSCM). To survive the crisis, it is critical to rethink the proper setting of global supply chains and reform many related operational strategies. We hence attempt to reform the GSCM from both supply and demand sides considering different pandemic stages (i.e., pre, during, and post-pandemic stages). In this research paper, we combine a careful literature review with real-world case studies to examine the impacts and specific challenges brought by the pandemic to global supply chains. We first classify the related literature from the demand and supply sides. Based on the insights obtained, we search publicly available information and report real practices of GSCM under COVID-19 in nine top global enterprises. To achieve responsiveness, resilience, and restoration (3Rs), we then propose the GREAT-3Rs framework, which shows the critical issues and measures for reforming GSCM under the three pandemic stages. In particular, the GREAT part of the framework includes five critical domains, namely, government proactive policies and measures, redesigning global supply chains, economic and financing strategies under risk, adjustment of operations, and technology adoption, to help global enterprises to survive the pandemic; 3Rs are the outputs that can be achieved after using the GREAT strategies under the three pandemic stages. Finally, we establish a future research agenda from five aspects.

Automated summary

The recent outbreak of COVID-19 has significantly impacted global supply chain management, calling for the rethinking of operational strategies and the setting of global supply chains. This research paper combines literature review and real-world case studies to examine the effects and challenges brought about by the pandemic. The proposed GREAT-3Rs framework provides critical issues and measures for reforming GSCM under different pandemic stages, aiming to achieve responsiveness, resilience, and restoration.