Adaptation-Resilience-Innovation Framework for Competitive Advantage during Severe Supply Chain Disruptions

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the roles of firm adaptation, supply chain resilience, and business model innovation in sustaining competitive advantages following a severe supply chain disruption. The study is based on case studies using executive interviews from four Thai retail firms that experienced severe supply chain disruptions and made deliberate responses to such disruptions. The case findings indicate that a firm's adaptation is crucial for building supply chain resilience, which in turn supports the firm's survival when viewed from a reactive approach. Conversely, supply chain resilience forms the basis for business model innovation when considered from a proactive approach, significantly contributing to the maintenance of competitive advantage. The study showcases how retail firms adapt and evolve in the face of significant disruption until they achieve a new level of performance. This insight can be valuable for firms when they encounter major challenges and need to navigate through them effectively. These findings address a gap in the literature by expanding on the dynamic capabilities view through the interactions among firms’ adaptation, supply chain resilience, and business model innovation, as firms navigate severe disruptions and strive to sustain competitive advantage.