Exploring the Antecedents of Supply Chain Viability in a Pandemic Context: An Empirical Study on the Commercial Flower Supply Chain of an Emerging Economy

Abstract

The global supply chain (SC) has faced unprecedented disruptions fueled by the COVID-19 virus. While scholarly research has explored various dimensions to counter the epidemic and bolster the SC, the literature is still dispersed and fragmented in managing the SC toward sustainable operational performance. We strengthened the notion of the SC by extending it toward the SC viability (SCV) approach. The objective of the study is to determine the factors to propose a model for sustainable SC viability in a pandemic context. We built our theoretical model based on the viable supply chain (VSC) theory. The study assessed the hypotheses using partial least square-based structural equation modelling with data from 428 flower-producing cum trading enterprises. The research found that supply chain integration and supply risk control positively influence ensuring SCV. Besides, supply chain resilience mediates the effect of SC integration and risk control on SCV. By exploring the role of SC integration, SC resilience, and SC risk control, the study contributes to SC viability theory. Our research fills the gap in the domain of SC viability dimension. From our study, the academicians and firms can get fresh antecedents of SC viability as an emerging sustainable SC management approach.