Promoting a resilient food supply chain model facing disruptions associated with black sky hazards
Continuity & Resilience Review
ISSN: 2516-7502
Article publication date: 20 March 2023
Issue publication date: 18 April 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores how small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food industry in Puerto Rico can enhance resilience to cope with critical infrastructure (CI) collapse due to natural disasters. This study aims to validate the food supply chain (FSC) resilience model for SMEs in rural areas.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used qualitative in-depth interviews to gather data and a coding process for the analysis. The participants were members of the FSC located in the municipality of Adjuntas and nearby towns in Puerto Rico. For this study, the sample participants selected to conduct the interviews were the farmers, producers and retailers.
Findings
The results show the importance of local CI backup, networks and flexibility among FSC members in alternating supply chain logistics and distribution. Other transportation modes include drone pilots, aerial and land, facilities to transport and deliver merchandise and positioning farmers and producers as important players in the FSC.
Originality/value
A modified FSC resilience model from previous research is presented to include SMEs located in highly vulnerable remote zones, where access to resources is limited after a disruptive event, and a typology of enterprises with local CI backup according to their level of adoption of resilient practices. This study contributes to enhancing resilience and mitigating the vulnerabilities of SMEs after the CI collapses.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This work would not have been possible without the financial support of the Resiliency and Business Innovation (RBI) Program, an Economic Development Agency (EDA) i6 grantee and part of the supported programs under the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust (PRSTRT). The authors are grateful to all the SMEs in Puerto Rico, who have taken their time to participate in the interviews and/or surveys conducted for this research.
Citation
Orengo Serra, K.L. and Sánchez-Jauregui, M. (2023), "Promoting a resilient food supply chain model facing disruptions associated with black sky hazards", Continuity & Resilience Review, Vol. 5 No. 1, pp. 79-93. https://doi.org/10.1108/CRR-12-2022-0035
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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