Abstract:
Even though a lot of attention has been directed towards risk management, disruptions
are inevitably present within supply chains and should therefore be successfully managed
if organizations are to thrive in today’s ever-changing world. How organizations
respond to these disruptions has an impact on the relationship between the parties
involved. This study explored what factors influenced buyer-supplier relationships in
either a strengthening or weakening manner within a disruption context. A generic
qualitative research approach was used to gather data by conducting semi-structured
interviews with 24 participants that consisted of 3PLs and clients who have experienced
a recent disruption between each other. This study reported on the relational factors
within pre-, during- and post- disruption phases. A total of 18 strengthening factors
were identified with the majority being classified into the during-disruption phase. The
factors that added to existing disruption literature included having a mutual business
understanding, problem solving ability and an introspective focus when resolving disruptions.
Twelve weakening factors emerged from the data. Common business problems,
a lack of, or weak prior relationship, no mutual business understanding and the
occurrence and late detection of the disruption are novel findings. Practitioners gain
value from this study as it equips them to manage supply chain disruptions successfully
by highlighting important strengthening and weakening relational factors to consider
when working with supply chain members to resolve disruptions. The study contributes
to the body of knowledge by being one of the first empirical studies conducted on
the relational effects of supply chain disruptions in a developing country context.
