Responding to Disruptions in the Supply Network – From Dormant to Action

Abstract

Managing risks in supply networks is a complex task; the more so in those supply networks the core competence of which lies in dealing with natural disasters, complex emergencies, and large-scale attacks-namely those of humanitarian, and military organisations where the price of failure can be counted in terms of the loss of life rather than, simply, reduced profits. This conceptual article examines the capabilities of these supply networks to manage such disruptions, based on their resource configuration in a dormant preparation state. The article concludes by presenting how different types of supply networks can manage large-scale disruptions.