Scaling up and scaling down supply chains in volatile resource-based economies

Area of Science:

• Rural economics
• Business management
• Resource extraction industry

Background:

• The rise of mobile workforces since the 1980s has transformed rural resource landscapes.
• Mobile workforces offer economic opportunities but challenge rural businesses' supply chain integration.
• Businesses struggle to adapt to economic volatility, impacting their ability to serve mobile workforces.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine business challenges and strategies for capacity and agility in response to mobile workforce economic fluctuations.
• To explore the concept of resiliency in the context of rural businesses serving mobile workforces.
• To identify factors influencing business scalability in volatile resource-based economies.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research utilizing interviews with businesses in Fort St. John, British Columbia.
• Application of resiliency concepts to analyze business operations.
• Examination of strategies for scaling up and down in response to economic changes.

Main Results:

• Business capacity to scale operations is influenced by strategies in capital, human resources, and infrastructure.
• Effective inventory and contract management are crucial for adapting to workforce fluctuations.
• Agility and readiness depend on strategic business management and supportive industry/state policies.

Conclusions:

• Enhancing rural business resiliency is vital for sustained economic participation in mobile workforce economies.
• Strategic management of resources and operations can improve business adaptability.
• Policy interventions can foster an environment conducive to business growth in volatile sectors.