Sustainable supply chain operation under COVID-19: influences and response strategies

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic poses various challenges to the sustainable operation of supply chains in different sectors. Especially, the impacts and response strategies of COVID-19 on supply chain operations have attracted much research attention. Nevertheless, a comprehensive review of related studies is still lacking. To address this research gap, this article systematically reviewed 94 historical papers relevant to the impacts and response strategies of COVID-19. It was found that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused supply and demand contradiction or disruptions in four types of supply chains. In addition, the epidemic response measures were also considered from the two dimensions of practice and theory. Based on the research findings, future research directions were also proposed, such as the dynamic evolution process of impacts. The research findings not only help to mitigate or eliminate the negative impacts of COVID-19 on supply chain operations but also provides future research directions in the studied field.