Managing disruptive events in a global supply chain

Managing disruptions has become increasingly important due to COVID-19 pandemic, trade wars, and other crises and disruptions that have affected supply chains worldwide. However, prior research has mainly focused on major crises and disruptions instead of frequently occurring operational disruptions that lead to smaller disruptive events. This study focuses on managing disruptive events in an order fulfilment process in a global supply chain. Both literature review and an analysis of empirical case are utilised. The results highlight a need to create new ways for both preventive and corrective actions to manage the disruptive events. These include improving the visibility and communication of order delivery plans and creating rules how corrective actions should be implemented. For preventive actions, an accurate supply chain performance measurement and systematic process development practices are recommended. The study provides both practitioners and researchers with new knowledge on how disruptive events can be prevented and managed.