How to select a Supply Chain Finance solution?

In the complex picture of Supply Chain Finance (SCF), there is still a need for a model supporting managerial decisions in selecting the most suitable financing solution. The objective of the presented exploratory work is to bring together the relational aspects between buyers and suppliers, and the characteristics of SCF solutions. Based on expert interviews and a focus group, the main result consists of a classification model of buyer-led SCF solutions, according to the characteristics of the relationship between a buyer and its suppliers, in terms of bargaining power and cumulative transaction value. The model thus describes the logics behind the adoption by a buyer firm of one or more SCF solutions to be implemented with different suppliers.     

Supply chain risk management in India – practical insights

This paper reviews the supply chain risk management (SCRM) literature to identify as well as to discuss and elaborate on the impact and origin of major supply chain risk factors in an Indian context. Through a combination of existing literature and a survey instrument, we identify major SCRM issues including underlying supply chain risks and thereafter identify gaps, issues and opportunities for further research. SCRM has become a popular research topic, in part owing to increased globalisation of business. Moreover competitive factors such as shorter product life cycles, technological innovations and changing government policies have brought this topic more sharply into focus. We carried out a survey among Indian supply chain professionals, based on supply chain risk constructs developed from a literature review. Statistical analysis utilised exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to determine the major risk factors in the Indian supply chain sector. We found a range of supply chain risks prevalent in Indian supply chains, classified here as cultural, operational, infrastructure, economic, forecasting and supplier-related risks. However, for a variety of reasons and as discussed in the paper, the implications can vary considerably. Based on the findings we provide a future SCRM research agenda from an Indian perspective. As international supply chains increasingly have Indian partners and domestic firms within India seek to be globally competitive, the risks need to be better understood. This is the first detailed study on SCRM practices in an Indian context.     

Can Supply Chain Finance help mitigate the financial disruption brought by Covid-19?

The Covid-19 pandemic created a financial disruption within supply chains, which is destabilizing especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and could be devastating for the global economy. Supply chain finance (SCF) was an answer to the 2008 financial crisis and could help facing the new challenge, but new paradigms are necessary, to become an effective mitigation strategy. Through the support of empirical data collected through a focus group with industry experts, this note presents new research directions in the SCF domain, based on Contingency Theory and Resource Orchestration Theory, including new solutions, actors, collaborations, technologies, regulations, and performance.