SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS AFTER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Supply chain management was challenged in different parts of the world because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Supply chains failed to provide products that became essential during the pandemic such as hand-sanitizers, cleaning or disinfection products. There were several factors that influenced the disruption of supply chain management during the pandemic. Supply shocks were caused at the beginning of the pandemic concerning specifically the availability of imported goods from China concerning both in-process products and finished goods. Many factories froze during the lockdowns. Generalized lockdowns all over the world caused a shock on demands because consumers wanted to buy any kind of products and they wanted to feel safe, even though stocks of some products were compromised. Some companies needed to adapt their supply chain to the demand such as companies that have been traditionally in the fashion industry or textile industry started producing hand-sanitizers or face masks. Another important element is the increase of the online shopping and home delivery services which was reflected on the supply chain management of these services by the companies that were offering them. This paper analyses the main factors of disruption of supply chain during the Covid-19 based on literature review. The paper starts with taking into consideration the role of supply chain risk management focusing on the operational risk of supply chains and as well as in inventory investments of some products that were necessary during the pandemic. Another dimension that was taken into consideration for the analysis was the monitoring of supply chains during the pandemic and their influence in supply chain management.