Supply chain viability: conceptualization, measurement, and nomological validation

Area of Science:

• Operations Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Business Strategy

Background:

• Supply Chain Viability (SCV) is an emerging and increasingly critical concept in operations management.
• Existing literature lacks a validated measurement scale for SCV, hindering its empirical investigation.
• The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for robust supply chain resilience and adaptability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conceptualize, develop, and validate a measurement scale for Supply Chain Viability (SCV).
• To establish SCV as a novel and distinct construct within operations management.
• To offer practical guidance for improving SCV in the face of disruptions.

Main Methods:

• Scale development through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses using data from 558 respondents across three samples.
• Content validation and item measure development.
• Nomological model testing to assess nomological validity.

Main Results:

• SCV is conceptualized and validated as a hierarchical and multidimensional construct.
• Key dimensions of SCV include organizational structures, resources, dynamic design capabilities, and operational aspects.
• Dynamic reconfiguration of supply chain structures is central to SCV for long-term survival.

Conclusions:

• The study provides the first validated scale for measuring Supply Chain Viability (SCV).
• SCV is characterized by adaptive reconfiguration of supply chain structures.
• Findings offer actionable insights for practitioners to enhance SCV, particularly during crises.