Agility as a Driver of Resilience: Comparative Case Insights from Global Supply Chain Disruptions

Abstract

Global supply chains now operate in a VUCA Contemporary global supply chains operate in a VUCA environment characterised by systemic, rather than episodic, pandemics, geopolitical rivalries, cyberattacks, and climatic shocks. Efficiency-oriented, traditional models, such as just-in-time, have been proven insufficient, which shifted supply chains toward agile supply chain practices underpinned by the core principles of responsiveness, flexibility, visibility, and collaboration. This paper analyses three diverse disruptions: CrowdStrike's "Blue Screen of Death" outage, Toyota's semiconductor shortage rebound, and the Ever Given Suez Canal blockage, to investigate how agile principles are applied across digital, manufacturing, and logistics contexts. Digital visibility, cross-functional collaboration, smart redundancy, and iterative learning emerge as key enablers through qualitative secondary data. Findings reveal that agility lessens the immediate disruption impacts but at the same time enhances the long-term recovery and resilience. Strategic recommendations on building adaptive and resilient supply chains in a VUCA world are made.