Enabling Technologies as a Support to Achieve Resilience in Supply Chain Operations

Abstract

In response to the dynamic and ever-changing landscape of supply chains, which are continually challenged by internal and external factors, there is a critical need for continuous adaptation, learning, and improvement. Historically, scholars have argued that traditional information systems lack the capacity to effectively support resilience strategies within supply chains. However, advancements in Industry 4.0 technologies may have shifted this paradigm. This article explores how enabling technologies (ET) can support the development of resilient operations at the supply chain level. To that end, a systematic literature review is combined with a multiple case study to understand how these technologies can support the development of elements of resilience. Three distinct sectors from different geographical locations were chosen for this study: an agri-food company in Brazil, a manufacturing firm in the food industry in Canada, and a logistics service provider in Italy. Integrating both theoretical insights and empirical findings leads to the formulation of a research framework, the primary contribution of this study, which serves as a resource for scholars and practitioners aiming to leverage ET to increase supply chain resilience. The article concludes with key findings and suggests avenues for future research.