Lecturer, Management School, University of Sheffield
The Suez Canal crisis has apparently been resolved. However, global value chains will create similar bottlenecks in the future. As a solution, we must consider stopgap solutions, install bypasses or undergo a strict “diet” to rethink resource flows. An ambitious circular economy, relying on narrower, slower, and shorter resource loops may help avoid future disruption.
The unquestioning faith of supply chain management (SCM) studies in unconditional economic growth and free trade policy has left us unprepared to confront the pandemic, leading us to a sudden and uncontrollable collapse.
Disrupting supply chains, Covid-19 has pointed out the obvious: the supposed capitalist rationality produces short-term profits, but decreases transparency and visibility, while increasing risk and vulnerability.
The post-Carillion debates must consider the effectiveness of local authority procurement strategies