Local food supply chain resilience to constitutional change: The Brexit effect

Linda C. Hendry, Mark Stevenson, Jillian MacBryde, Peter Ball, Maysara Sayed, Lingxuan Liu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how local supply chains prepare for and respond to the threats and opportunities presented by constitutional change, thereby building resilience.Design/methodology/approach – Multiple case study analysis of 14 firms in the food sector is presented in the context of the UK’s impending exit from the European Union (Brexit). Organisations studied include farmers, processors, retailers and non-government organisations (NGOs). Data from interviews and round table discussions has been interpreted using the dynamic capabilities perspective, covering the sensing,seizing, and transforming stages. Findings – The data highlights the importance of both vertical and horizontal collaboration between supply chain actors as they seek to anticipate the impact of the disruption and influence the future shape of theconstitution. There is also evidence to suggest firms in possession of dynamic capabilities can innovate to build resilience and enhance their competitive position. Characteristics of the disruption posed by constitutional change are identified and contrast with those of many other threats more typically described in the literature. As a result, the process of building resilience is different.Research limitations/implications – The study could be extended to include post-Brexit interviews to further understand the seizing and transforming stages whilst the impact of Brexit on actors that remain within the EU could also be considered.Practical implications – Practitioners need to work together to influence the future shape of the constitution; and they need to reconfigure their operations and supply chains where necessary to become more resilient to the threat posed by Brexit, such as by reducing their reliance on EU funding streams and trade. The study also has policy implications.Originality/value – The first study of supply chain resilience to constitutional change and a rare empirical study of resilience across multiple supply chain tiers.
Original languageEnglish
JournalInternational Journal of Operations & Production Management
Early online date18 Oct 2018
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 18 Oct 2018

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • supply chain resilience
  • dynamic capabilities
  • Brexit
  • constitutional change

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Local food supply chain resilience to constitutional change: The Brexit effect'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this