Ambiguity and its coping mechanisms in supply chains lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic and natural disasters

Saileshsingh Gunessee, Nachiappan Subramanian

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

140 Citations (Scopus)
77 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Purpose: The first purpose of this paper is to situate and conceptualise ambiguity in the operations management (OM) literature, as connected to supply chain decision-making (SCDM). The second purpose is to study the role of ambiguity-coping mechanisms in that context. Design/methodology/approach: This research uses the behavioural decision theory (BDT) to better embed ambiguity in a generic SCDM framework. The framework explicates both behavioural and non-behavioural antecedents of ambiguity and enables us to also ground the “coping” mechanisms as individual and organisational level strategies. Properties of the framework are illustrated through two “ambiguous” events – the 2011 Thai flood and Covid-19 pandemic. Findings: Three key findings are documented. First, ambiguity is shown to distinctively affect supply chain decisions and having correspondence with specific coping mechanisms. Second, the conceptual framework shows how individual coping mechanisms can undermine rational-based organisational coping mechanisms, leading to “sub-optimal” (poor) supply chain decisions. Third, this study highlights the positive role of visibility but surprisingly organisational “experiential” learning is imperfect, due to the focus on “similar” past experience and what is known. Originality/value: The paper is novel in two ways. First, it introduces ambiguity – an often neglected concept in operations management – into the supply chain lexicon, by developing a typology of ambiguity. Second, ambiguity-coping mechanisms are also introduced as both individual and organisational strategies. This enables the study to draw distinctive theoretical and practical implications.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1201-1223
Number of pages23
JournalInternational Journal of Operations and Production Management
Volume40
Issue number7-8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Nov 2020

Keywords

  • Ambiguity
  • Behavioural decision theory
  • Coping mechanisms
  • Covid-19
  • Supply chain decision-making

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Decision Sciences
  • Strategy and Management
  • Management of Technology and Innovation

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