Supply Chain Readiness, Response and Recovery for Supply Chain Resilience to Vulnerabilities: A Study on Ready-Made Garment Industry of Bangladesh

Abstract

In the contemporary world, supply chain resilience (SCR) has got an enormous importance among the academia and the business community. But research on supply chain resilience (SCR) is not substantial in number. Literature related to supply chain resilience measurement is even scarce. Most of the studies concentrate on capability and vulnerability to measure SCR. However, those studies are mostly conceptual in nature rather than empirical investigation. Empirical study to measure SCR incorporating supply chain readiness, response and recovery ability is quite absent. Upon existence of such void in the literature this study aims at developing a model of SCR measurement with reference to supply chain readiness, response and recovery in the context of ready-made garment (RMG) supply chain of Bangladesh. An exploratory field study utilizing an inductive methodology involving a multiple-case study approach has been undertaken. It is evident that a supply chain needs event readiness, and the ability to respond and recover quickly to be resilient. Measurement indicators with respect to supply chain readiness, response and recovery have been explored. The measurement items and their relationships are unique contribution of this paper. Further, the SCR measurement model will help the RMG supply chain managers to identify the degree of readiness, response and recovery ability.