Short answer
When designing or managing pharmaceutical supply chains, actively address and potentially rebalance power dynamics to foster both proactive and reactive resilience.
- Field
- Innovation & Markets
- Source
- Supply Chain Management An International Journal (2023)
- Method
- Mixed-methods research
- Sample
- 129 participants (23 qualitative, 106 quantitative)
- Evidence
- Strong effect
The exercise of power-based behaviours, such as quota systems and information control, has a complex and often contradictory impact on a pharmaceutical supply chain's ability to respond to disruptions. This innovation & markets research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Supply Chain Management An International Journal. Using Mixed-methods research with 129 participants (23 qualitative, 106 quantitative), researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing or managing pharmaceutical supply chains, actively address and potentially rebalance power dynamics to foster both proactive and reactive resilience.
Power dynamics significantly shape pharmaceutical supply chain resilience strategies
The exercise of power-based behaviours, such as quota systems and information control, has a complex and often contradictory impact on a pharmaceutical supply chain's ability to respond to disruptions.
Supply Chain Management An International Journal · 2023
Key Findings
- 01Power-based behaviours (quota systems, information and price control) influence proactive and reactive resilience strategies.
- 02Power-based behaviours have a negative influence on reactive strategies and a positive influence on proactive strategies.
- 03Supply chain complexities (stringent regulations, long lead times, complex production) moderate the negative impact of power-based behaviours on reactive strategies.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing or managing pharmaceutical supply chains, actively address and potentially rebalance power dynamics to foster both proactive and reactive resilience.
How to apply
When assessing supply chain vulnerabilities, explicitly map out power relationships and their potential impact on different types of resilience strategies.
Project actions
- 01Consider how different stakeholders in your design project might have varying levels of influence.
- 02Explore how these power differences could impact the success or failure of your design.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Utilizes a mixed-methods approach for a comprehensive understanding.
- +Applies a Complex Adaptive System (CAS) perspective to analyze interactions.
Limitations
It can be challenging to objectively measure 'power' and its direct impact on resilience in a design project.
Reliability & validity
The use of structural equation modelling and thematic analysis suggests a robust approach to data analysis. However, the subjective nature of 'power' and 'resilience' could introduce potential validity concerns.
Think critically
To what extent can a supply chain be truly resilient if its core operations are dictated by power imbalances rather than optimal efficiency or risk mitigation?
Design Principles
"Supply chain resilience is influenced by the distribution and exercise of power among its actors."
Understanding how power imbalances influence supply chain operations is crucial for designing robust and adaptable systems. This insight highlights that while certain power dynamics might inadvertently foster proactive resilience, they can simultaneously undermine reactive capabilities, especially in complex regulatory environments.
What This Means for Your Design
How companies and people with more power in the drug supply chain affect its ability to handle problems.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify investigating power dynamics within your chosen design context.
- 2.Cite this study when discussing how stakeholder relationships and influence affect design outcomes.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights that power-based behaviours within supply chains, such as information control and quota systems, significantly influence a supply chain's resilience. Specifically, these behaviours can negatively impact reactive strategies (immediate responses to disruptions) while positively affecting proactive strategies (long-term preparedness). The study also found that industry complexities, like stringent regulations, can exacerbate the negative effects of power imbalances on reactive capabilities. Therefore, when designing or evaluating supply chain systems, it is critical to consider the role of power dynamics among stakeholders and their potential to hinder or enhance overall resilience.
Source
Supply Chain Management An International Journal
The role of power-based behaviours on pharmaceutical supply chain resilience
journal · 2023
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about power dynamics significantly shape pharmaceutical supply chain resilience strategies?
- When designing or managing pharmaceutical supply chains, actively address and potentially rebalance power dynamics to foster both proactive and reactive resilience. Evidence: Supply Chain Management An International Journal (2023).
- Why does "Power dynamics significantly shape pharmaceutical supply chain resilience strategies" matter for design?
- Understanding how power imbalances influence supply chain operations is crucial for designing robust and adaptable systems. This insight highlights that while certain power dynamics might inadvertently foster proactive resilience, they can simultaneously undermine reactive capabilities, especially in complex regulatory environments.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing or managing pharmaceutical supply chains, actively address and potentially rebalance power dynamics to foster both proactive and reactive resilience.
- What were the main findings?
- Power-based behaviours (quota systems, information and price control) influence proactive and reactive resilience strategies.. Power-based behaviours have a negative influence on reactive strategies and a positive influence on proactive strategies.. Supply chain complexities (stringent regulations, long lead times, complex production) moderate the negative impact of power-based behaviours on reactive strategies.
- What research method was used?
- Mixed-methods research with 129 participants (23 qualitative, 106 quantitative).
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from Supply Chain Management An International Journal.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When assessing supply chain vulnerabilities, explicitly map out power relationships and their potential impact on different types of resilience strategies.
- What are the limitations?
- The study's findings are specific to the pharmaceutical sector and may not directly translate to other industries. The 'complex adaptive system' perspective offers a framework but may not capture all nuances of human interaction.