The impact of covid-19 on the Tunisian supply chain: A case study (Preprint)

Abstract

Purpose: This article aims to provide rough orders of magnitude of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the functioning of Tunisian businesses. Based on a sample of 192 Tunisian companies, the results showed a sharp contraction in inactivity due to the disruption of the various links in the supply chain following the generalized confinement of the population and the closure of borders.

Findings: The findings suggest that the analysis of the results makes it possible to detect the manifest existence of specific operating models.

Design/methodology/approach: We therefore sought to find out which links in the supply chain were the most impacted. To do this, the K-means offers the possibility of carrying out the analysis of variance (ANOVA).

However, the results of our research remain limited due to the low response rate from companies. The theoretical framework is not sufficiently referenced due to the novelty of the subject. Finally, we lack the necessary perspective on the consequences of the strategies adopted by companies. All of these limitations offer new avenues for future research. COVID-19 is an exceptional event that has had a major impact on supply chains globally. The pandemic has highlighted the weight of the supply chain in the regular functioning of the global economy. It also highlighted the importance of taking into account new risks as well as the necessary mobilization of more technologically advanced tools to prepare for them.

By focusing on national companies, the study carried out sought to highlight the extent of the crisis on the country's economy. The results obtained confirmed the existence of a major impact on the operating activity of the Tunisian companies in the sample. 68% of the companies surveyed recorded deterioration in their activities and 29% of them experienced a severe decrease. To cope with the consequences of the crisis, three policies have been adopted to quantitatively and qualitatively adjust human resources to the needs of companies: temporary reduction in the workforce, Tele-working and dismissal. The study then shed light on the situation of the supply chain of companies. Four behavior patterns were detected. Maintaining a fluid and regular relationship with suppliers and customers has pushed companies to implement technological solutions to manage flows and maintain the relationship. However, the results of our research remain limited due to the low response rate from companies. The theoretical framework is not sufficiently referenced due to the novelty of the subject. Finally, we lack the necessary perspective on the consequences of the strategies adopted by companies. All of these limitations offer new avenues for future research. COVID-19 is an exceptional event that has had a major impact on supply chains globally. The pandemic has highlighted the weight of the supply chain in the regular functioning of the global economy. It also highlighted the importance of taking into account new risks as well as the necessary mobilization of more technologically advanced tools to prepare for them. The complexity of supply chains makes the development of commercial transactions fragile. This context offers, on another level, a multitude of opportunities for new structures and new business models. Post-COVID-19 is a major challenge for the national economic fabric. The crisis has encouraged the renewal of management methods. Working remotely and in collaborative mode, revising its processes, automating and securing them, making its information system agile and reliable… become the levers of operational excellence and a tremendous step forward.

Originality/Value: Overall, this study contributes both to the study of the effect of COVID-19 on the Supply Chain and to the implications of the literature in this area and has important practical implications.