Supply chain survivability in crisis times through a viable system perspective: Big data, knowledge ambidexterity, and the mediating role of virtual enterprise

In the context of the survivability of a firm's supply chain during the worldwide COVID-19 crisis, there is still much to be explored. This study employs the viable system model to conceptualize the virtual enterprise, big data, and knowledge ambidexterity capability that can facilitate supply chain survivability. Empirical data have been collected from various industries in Indonesia (the largest labor force in Southeast Asia). SEM-SmartPLS and SPSS were used to validate the model. The results suggest that firms need to realize that the explorative and exploitative of knowledge have different effects and are integrated in different ways into the survivability of a supply chain. The findings also revealed two roles for mediation, whereby revolutionizing the explorative of knowledge and the analytics of big data through virtual enterprise are crucial strategies to achieves the survivability of the supply chain. A novel value added is the inclusion of a systems-environment perspective and knowledge-technology matrix, especially in times of crisis.

Automated summary

This study examined the survivability of a firm's supply chain during the global COVID-19 crisis, finding that the exploration and exploitation of knowledge have different effects on supply chain survivability, and that virtual enterprises and big data analytics are crucial strategies. The inclusion of a systems-environment perspective and knowledge-technology matrix was identified as a novel value added, especially in times of crisis.