Toward supply chain viability theory: from lessons learned through COVID-19 pandemic to viable ecosystems

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered new research areas in supply chain resilience. One of these new areas is viability. Viability extends the resilience understanding from performance-based assessment of firm's responses to disruptions towards survivability of both supply chains and associated ecosystems not only during some short-term disruptions but also under conditions of long-term crises. To explore the state-of-the-art knowledge on methods, models, capabilities, and technologies of supply chain viability, we edited this important IJPR special issue. To introduce the special issue, we review the existing literature on supply chain viability, conceptualise seven major pillars of supply chain viability theory (i.e. viable supply chain design, viability in process planning and control, ripple effect, intertwined and reconfigurable supply networks, ecosystems, digital supply chain, and Industry 5.0), and establish some associated future research directions. The findings of this editorial paper, as well as the articles in the special issue, can be used by researchers and practitioners alike to consolidate recent advances and practices of viability in supply chain networks and lay the solid foundation for further developments in this area.

Automated summary

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the emergence of new research areas in supply chain resilience, including viability. Viability extends the understanding of resilience from performance-based assessment to the survivability of supply chains and ecosystems during both short-term disruptions and long-term crises. This editorial paper reviews the existing literature on supply chain viability, identifies seven major pillars of supply chain viability theory, and suggests future research directions.