30 Sep The Impact of COVID-19 on global supply chain management practices and trends.

The COVID-19 outbreak has posed significant challenges to global supply networks. Multiple nationwide lockdowns continue to impede or even halt the flow of raw materials and finished goods, forcing businesses to suffer. The outbreak, on the other hand, has not necessarily created new challenges for supply chains. COVID-19 exposed previously undisclosed flaws in a variety of industries, causing many firms to face labor shortages and losses. However, it has exacerbated and accelerated previously existing supply chain challenges.

Global Supply Chain Management

Globalization has been a prevailing trend in nearly every industry for the past several decades as manufacturers and other businesses attempt to take advantage of the abundant raw materials and low-cost manufacturing available in developing countries around the world. Global supply chains are the sophisticated networks of manufacturing, logistics, transportation, and communication firms that move products and materials through worldwide production and distribution channels.

Substantial negative effects of the Pandemic on the supply chain

The COVID-19 epidemic caused havoc on global commerce, economic, health, and education systems as well as enterprises and society, like few other events in the last century. Only 2% of organizations responding to the poll stated they were adequately prepared for the pandemic. 57 percent were impacted by major interruptions with 72 percent indicating a negative impact.

In uncertain economic times, businesses frequently decrease their technology expenditure to a trickle. During the COVID-19 outbreak, however, 92 percent of businesses continued to invest in technology. This highlights how a digital logistics chain may help organizations navigate disruptive forces and adapt to variable supply and demand more swiftly.

Economic and Social Impact of Supply Chain Disruptions

The bulk of large multinational corporations has the resources necessary to withstand the pandemic’s interruptions. In certain cases, large firms such as Amazon and Walmart have seen their earnings soar. According to the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development), COVID-19 is predicted to have a significant long-term impact on international trade:

• In many nations, economic production in 2022 will be 5% lower than pre-pandemic projections.
• Small businesses and entrepreneurs are more likely than huge enterprises to fail.
• Many low-wage workers who lost their employment as a result of COVID-19 will have a tough time finding new occupations shortly.
• Poor people’s living standards will deteriorate, and those without easy access to the internet will find it difficult to learn or work from home.

Impacts of Covid-19 on GSCS

The COVID-19 epidemic isn’t the first time a tragedy has caused havoc on GSCs. Other natural disasters, such as Japan’s 2011 mega-earthquake, China’s 2003 SARS pandemic, and Indonesia’s 2004 tsunami all have resulted in parts and product shortages. It’s worth mentioning that the output recovers in a matter of weeks after these tragedies.

Most natural catastrophes, such as tremors, tsunamis, nuclear or radioactivity accidents, and wars, are localized and last only a few hours or days. The COVID-19 virus, on the other hand, swept the globe within four months of its first breakout, putting millions of individuals under lockdown and total confinement and leading to the partial or complete collapse of major economic sectors. Furthermore, no one knows when this outbreak will be over; every polluted location on the earth is undoubtedly a high-risk region for a new outbreak.

How can businesses adapt to sudden change?

As the COVID-19 threat increases, firms should take the following steps to secure their supply chains:

Steps for organizations operating or doing business in China and other impacted nations might include:

• Reinforce screening methods 
• Prepare for increasing absenteeism 
• Restrict non-essential travel and promote flexible working options
• Educate staff about COVID-19 symptoms and prevention
• Prepare succession plans for key senior roles 
• Focus on cash flow 
• Align IT systems and support to increasing job requirements

Conclusion

Pre-existing supply chain challenges were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the importance of visibility, resilience, and digitalization. While some industries were heavily damaged by disruption, others such as life sciences, emerged as winners. However, safeguarding, retraining, and re-skilling the workers as well as investing to make the autonomous supply chain a reality are top priorities.