Title: Mitigating supply chain disruption: the importance of top management support to collaboration and flexibility

Authors: Joe B. Hanna, Joseph B. Skipper, Dianne Hall

Addresses: Department of Aviation and Supply Chain Management, Auburn University, 403 Lowder Business Building, Auburn, AL 36849, USA. ' Department of Operational Sciences, Air Force Institute of Technology, AFIT/ENS, Bldg 641, 2950th Hobson Way, Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7765, USA. ' Department of Management, Auburn University, 401 Lowder Business Building, Auburn, AL 36849, USA

Abstract: Today|s lean globally disbursed organisations need to be able to react quickly to supply chain disruptions. One method of planning for adequate response is to engage in a strategic planning process that increases organisational flexibility. In this study, we examine the relationship between collaboration and flexibility, the relationships of information technology use and comprehensive planning to collaboration, and the effect of top management support on each of those variables. Our results give both academicians and practitioners an understanding of how these processes fit together to enhance an organization|s ability to react to supply chain disruptions. Managers can use the information to prioritise resources throughout the planning process.

Keywords: extreme event planning; crisis management; contingency planning; coordination; collaboration; top management support; flexibility; supply chain management; SCM; supply chain disruption; information technology; emergency management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2010.032944

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2010 Vol.6 No.4, pp.397 - 414

Published online: 05 May 2010 *

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