Resilience Strategies in Global Supply Chains: A Cross-Industry Case Study Analysis of Disruption Response and Recovery

Abstract

Global supply chains have demonstrated acute vulnerability to systemic disruptions, as evidenced by the cascading effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Suez Canal blockage of 2021, and escalating geopolitical trade tensions. This case study-based research investigates the supply chain resilience strategies employed by four multinational firms across the automotive, pharmaceutical, electronics, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors during the period 2020 to 2024. Applying Yin's (2018) multiple-case study design, the research analyzes how firms implemented supply chain resilience capabilities including redundancy, flexibility, visibility, and collaboration in response to major disruptions. Cross-case analysis reveals that firms achieving superior recovery performance combined proactive redundancy investment with dynamic supply chain reconfiguration capabilities and digital visibility infrastructure. Single-source dependency emerged as the most consistent predictor of prolonged disruption impact, while collaborative supplier relationships accelerated recovery across all four cases. The study develops a Disruption-Recovery-Resilience (DRR) cycle model and offers practical implications for supply chain strategists in disruption-prone operating environments.