+44-7897-074717Editorial - Journal of Research in International Business and Management ( 2025) Volume 12, Issue 5
Published: 29-Sep-2025
Global supply chain resilience refers to the ability of international supply networks to anticipate, respond to, and recover from disruptions. This study examines the role of resilience in ensuring business continuity and competitive advantage in global markets. It explores sources of disruption such as geopolitical instability, natural disasters, pandemics, and logistical failures. The paper highlights strategies including diversification, flexibility, digital visibility, and collaborative partnerships. It also discusses the importance of risk assessment and adaptive capability in strengthening supply chain resilience. By integrating supply chain management theory with international business perspectives, this study emphasizes that resilient global supply chains enhance operational stability, responsiveness, and long-term sustainability.
Global Supply Chain Resilience, International Logistics, Risk Management, Business Continuity, Supply Chain Flexibility, Global Operations
Global supply chain resilience has become a critical priority for international businesses operating in highly interconnected and volatile environments. Firms increasingly rely on complex global supply networks that span multiple countries and regions. Disruptions in any part of the supply chain can have cascading effects on operations and performance. Building resilience supports continuity and competitiveness. Globalization has increased both the efficiency and vulnerability of supply chains. While global sourcing reduces costs and expands access to resources, it exposes firms to geopolitical, economic, and environmental risks. Supply chain resilience addresses these vulnerabilities by enhancing adaptability. Strategic resilience reduces disruption impact (Anbumozhi et al., 2020).
Risk identification is a foundational element of global supply chain resilience. Firms must assess potential risks related to suppliers, transportation routes, and regulatory environments. Proactive risk assessment supports contingency planning. Awareness enhances preparedness.
Supply chain diversification is a key resilience strategy. Relying on multiple suppliers and regions reduces dependence on single sources. Diversification enhances flexibility and reduces exposure to localized disruptions. Strategic sourcing supports resilience. Digital technologies play an important role in strengthening supply chain resilience. Real-time data, tracking systems, and analytics improve visibility and responsiveness. Digital tools enable faster decision-making. Technology enhances supply chain control.
Collaboration among supply chain partners supports resilience. Strong relationships with suppliers, logistics providers, and distributors facilitate information sharing and coordination. Collaboration improves response capability. Partnerships enhance stability. Inventory management influences resilience outcomes. Maintaining strategic safety stock balances efficiency and preparedness. Inventory strategies support continuity during disruptions. Effective inventory management enhances responsiveness.
Organizational culture and leadership affect supply chain resilience. Risk-aware cultures encourage proactive planning and adaptation. Leadership commitment supports resilience initiatives. Culture shapes resilience capability. Sustainability considerations are increasingly integrated into supply chain resilience strategies. Environmentally responsible practices reduce long-term risk exposure. Sustainable supply chains enhance reputation and compliance. Sustainability supports resilience (Colicchia et al., 2010).
The increasing frequency of global disruptions has intensified scholarly and managerial attention toward global supply chain resilience. Events such as geopolitical conflicts, trade restrictions, climate-related disasters, and global health crises have revealed structural weaknesses in international supply networks. These disruptions have demonstrated that efficiency-focused supply chain models alone are insufficient. Resilience-oriented approaches emphasize adaptability, responsiveness, and recovery capability, enabling firms to sustain operations under uncertain global conditions.
Global supply chain resilience is closely linked to strategic risk management in international business. Firms must move beyond reactive responses and adopt proactive risk identification and mitigation strategies. Mapping supply chain networks and identifying critical nodes help organizations understand exposure points (Um & Han, 2021). This strategic visibility allows firms to design contingency plans that reduce downtime and financial losses during disruptions. Supplier relationship management plays a central role in strengthening supply chain resilience. Long-term partnerships, trust-based relationships, and collaborative planning enhance coordination during crises. Suppliers that share information and align objectives contribute to faster response and recovery. Relationship-based supply chains demonstrate greater stability than purely transactional networks.
Geographical dispersion of supply chain activities influences resilience outcomes. While global dispersion increases risk exposure, it also provides opportunities for redundancy and flexibility. Firms that strategically balance global reach with regional sourcing achieve improved resilience. Regionalization strategies help firms respond more effectively to localized disruptions. Policy and regulatory environments significantly affect global supply chain resilience. Trade regulations, customs procedures, and compliance requirements shape supply chain design and responsiveness. Firms must monitor regulatory changes and integrate policy considerations into resilience planning. Regulatory awareness reduces operational uncertainty and enhances continuity.
Human capital is an often-overlooked element of supply chain resilience. Skilled professionals with expertise in logistics, risk management, and international operations support adaptive decision-making. Training and knowledge development enhance the organization’s ability to respond to complex disruptions. Human capability strengthens resilience at the operational level. Technology-driven transparency is transforming global supply chain resilience. Advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technologies improve traceability and forecasting accuracy. Enhanced transparency allows firms to detect disruptions early and implement corrective actions promptly. Technology-enabled resilience supports strategic agility (Gebhardt et al., 2022).
Sustainability and resilience are increasingly interconnected in global supply chains. Environmentally and socially responsible practices reduce long-term risks associated with regulatory pressure and stakeholder expectations. Sustainable sourcing and ethical practices enhance supply chain legitimacy. Integrating sustainability strengthens resilience and corporate reputation. Learning from past disruptions is essential for continuous improvement in supply chain resilience. Firms that systematically analyze disruption experiences develop institutional knowledge and adaptive capability. Organizational learning supports the evolution of resilient supply chain strategies. Continuous learning enhances preparedness for future uncertainty (Patel, 2023).
Overall, global supply chain resilience represents a strategic transformation in international business operations. Firms that embed resilience into supply chain design and governance achieve greater stability, responsiveness, and long-term competitiveness. Resilient supply chains are no longer optional but essential for sustainable participation in global markets.
Global supply chain resilience plays a vital role in ensuring business continuity and competitiveness in international markets. This study highlights that diversification, digitalization, and collaboration enhance resilience. International firms that prioritize resilient supply chain strategies are better equipped to navigate disruptions and achieve sustainable performance.
Anbumozhi, V., Kimura, F., & Thangavelu, S. M. (2020). Global supply chain resilience: Vulnerability and shifting risk management strategies. In Supply Chain Resilience: Reducing Vulnerability to Economic Shocks, Financial Crises, and Natural Disasters (pp. 3-14). Singapore: Springer Singapore.
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Colicchia, C., Dallari, F., & Melacini, M. (2010). Increasing supply chain resilience in a global sourcing context. Production planning & control, 21(7), 680-694.
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Gebhardt, M., Spieske, A., Kopyto, M., & Birkel, H. (2022). Increasing global supply chains’ resilience after the COVID-19 pandemic: Empirical results from a Delphi study. Journal of business research, 150, 59-72.
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Patel, K. R. (2023). Enhancing global supply chain resilience: Effective strategies for mitigating disruptions in an interconnected world. BULLET: Jurnal Multidisiplin Ilmu, 2(1), 257-264.
Um, J., & Han, N. (2021). Understanding the relationships between global supply chain risk and supply chain resilience: the role of mitigating strategies. Supply chain management: an international journal, 26(2), 240-255.