International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 11 Issue: 02 | Feb 2024
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
“Disaster resilient supply chain: Learning from natural calamities in Pakistan". MUHAMMAD AWAIS, MUHAMMAD IDREES -------------------------------------------------------------------------***---------------------------------------------------------------------Abstract: This paper explores the vital domain of disaster resilient supply chains, with a special focus on Pakistan – a country that is frequently haunted by natural disasters and their devastating consequences. Given the immense ramifications of such disasters for global and local supply chains, we employ a mixed-methods approach by drawing on the rich insights offered by qualitative case studies as well as the rigor of quantitative analysis. The qualitative findings, derived from in-depth case studies across industries – ranging from textiles to agriculture – not only bring to the fore the multi-faceted character of supply chain disruptions but also the attendant economic, operational and reputational consequences. The quantitative data serve to reinforce the import of these consequences, with some measures pointing to a several-fold increase in recovery time and significant escalation of operational costs in the aftermath of a disaster. The paper also marshals statistical rigour to evaluate the efficacy of a variety of resilience strategies that include supplier diversification, inventory stockpiling and technology driven solutions, with the results providing robust support to their evident value; technological innovation is shown to be particularly powerful in speeding recovery and constraining costs. The paper also advances a framework for evaluating the effectiveness of resilience measures. The pivotal role of policy interventions in promoting resilient supply chains is discussed next, with the paper positing that it is crucial to have an inclusive approach that not only strives to address the immediate needs of assistance during the phase of response but also makes investments in the strategic risk reduction that is integral to the vision of resilience and sustainability. The insights derived from this paper are synthesized into comprehensive strategies for businesses, policymakers and stakeholders with significant emphasis on the deployment of advanced technologies, the management of diversification strategies, the nurturing of collaborative networks and the alignment of supply chain resilience with sustainability goals. By interlacing concrete evidence, conceptual explications and normative recommendations, this paper speaks significantly to how we might seek to promote a sustainable developmental trajectory in ecologies of dread such as that spawned by natural calamities in Pakistan.
Introduction: Supply chains are vital to both global and local economies, serving as their lifeblood. Essentially, these intricate networks guarantee the seamless transportation of commodities, services, and information from the starting point to the final recipient. Nevertheless, with the growing prominence of climate change effects and escalating environmental degradation, the number of dangers endangering this seamless circulation is on the rise. This study examines the dynamics of supply chains in disasterresilient networks, with a specific emphasis on the lessons learned from natural catastrophes in Pakistan. This emphasis holds great importance. Amidst the era of globalization, the consequences of a disrupted supply chain can extend well beyond the borders and concerns of a single nation, instead affecting households, industries, and governments on a global scale. For instance, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake caused significant destruction to the local infrastructure and had a profound effect on Pakistan's textile and agricultural sectors, which are crucial to the country's economy and global trade. Likewise, the floods that occurred in 2010, which are regarded as the most severe in Pakistan's past, resulted in an approximate damage cost of $9.7 billion. This event affected more than 20 million individuals and caused the disruption of supply networks in many industries. Resilience of supply chains pertains to their ability to swiftly and efficiently foresee, plan for, respond to, recover from, and adapt to unexpected and brief interruptions. It encompasses a variety of tasks, including evaluating potential risks, engaging in proactive planning, implementing strategic stockpiling, employing adaptable logistic solutions, and developing resilient plans for recovery and reconstruction in the face of disruptions. The resilience of supply chains goes beyond simple risk management. It is a groundbreaking concept that involves designing and managing supply chains in a way that incorporates resilience into the fundamental fabric of the supply chain network. In the context of Pakistan, there are unique problems and opportunities when it comes to developing supply networks that are robust to disasters. Geographically, it is situated in an
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