Purpose

This study aims to explore the effect of power-based behaviours on pharmaceutical supply chain (PSC) resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a mixed-method approach to explore the role of power-based behaviours in PSC resilience. Qualitative interviews from 23 key PSC stakeholders, followed by thematic analysis, revealed the underlying perceptions regarding PSC resilience. Quantitative propositions were then developed based on the themes adopted from PSC resilience literature and the qualitative findings. These were tested via a survey questionnaire administered to 106 key stakeholders across the various levels in the PSC. Structural equation modelling with partial least squares was used to analyse the data.

Findings

The data analysed identified proactive and reactive strategies as resilience strategies in the PSC. However, power-based behaviours represented by quota systems, information and price control influenced these resilience strategies. From a complex adaptive system (CAS) perspective, the authors found that when power-based behaviours were exhibited, the interactions between PSC actors were mixed. There was a negative influence on reactive strategies and a positive influence on proactive strategies. The analysis also showed that PSC complexities measured by stringent regulations, long lead times and complex production moderated the effect of power-based behaviour on reactive strategies. Thus, the negative impact of power-based behaviours on reactive strategies stemmed from PSC complexities.

Research limitations/implications

This research particularly reveals the role of power-based behaviours in building PSC resilience. By evaluating the nexus from a CAS perspective, the analysis considered power-based behaviours and the moderating role of PSC complexities in developing resilience strategies. This study considers the interactions of PSC actors. This study shows that power asymmetry is a relational concept that inhibits the efficacy of reactive strategies. This study thus advocates the importance of power in achieving a more resilient PSC from a holistic perspective by highlighting the importance of the decision-making process among supply chain (SC) partners. The findings are particularly relevant if PSC resilience is viewed as a CAS. All the interactions and decision-making processes affect outcomes because of their inherent complexities. Although this study focused on the PSC, its implications could be extended to other SCs.

Practical implications

The authors identified that power-based behaviours influenced resilience strategies. It was detrimental to reactive strategies because of the complexities of the PSC but beneficial to proactive strategies through resource-sharing. PSC actors are therefore encouraged to pursue proactive strategies as this may aid in mitigating the impact of disruptions. However, power-based behaviours bred partner dissatisfaction. This dissatisfaction may occur even within strategic alliances indicating that power could be detrimental to proactive strategies. Therefore, it is pertinent to identify conditions that lead to dissatisfaction when pursuing strategic partnerships. This study provides insight into actual behaviours influencing resilience and quantifies their effects on the PSC. These insights will be valuable for all SC partners wanting to improve their resilience strategies.

Originality/value

Previous PSC management and resilience studies have not examined the role of power in building resilience in the PSC. This paper thus provides a unique contribution by identifying the role of power in PSC resilience, offers empirical evidence and a novel theoretical perspective for future practice and research in building PSC resilience strategies.

中文翻译：

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基于权力的行为对医药供应链弹性的作用

目的

本研究旨在探讨基于权力的行为对药品供应链 (PSC) 弹性的影响。

设计/方法/途径

本研究使用混合方法来探索基于权力的行为在 PSC 恢复力中的作用。来自 23 个主要 PSC 利益相关者的定性访谈，以及随后的主题分析，揭示了对 PSC 弹性的基本看法。然后根据 PSC 恢复力文献中采用的主题和定性研究结果制定了定量命题。这些是通过对 PSC 各个级别的 106 个主要利益相关者进行的调查问卷进行测试的。使用具有偏最小二乘法的结构方程模型来分析数据。

发现

分析的数据将主动和被动策略确定为 PSC 中的弹性策略。然而，以配额制度、信息和价格控制为代表的基于权力的行为影响了这些弹性策略。从复杂自适应系统 (CAS) 的角度来看，作者发现当表现出基于权力的行为时，PSC 参与者之间的交互是混合的。对被动策略有负面影响，对主动策略有积极影响。分析还表明，通过严格的法规、较长的交货时间和复杂的生产来衡量的 PSC 复杂性缓和了基于权力的行为对反应策略的影响。因此，基于权力的行为对被动策略的负面影响源于 PSC 的复杂性。

研究局限性/影响

这项研究特别揭示了基于权力的行为在建立 PSC 弹性中的作用。通过从 CAS 的角度评估关系，该分析考虑了基于权力的行为和 PSC 复杂性在制定弹性策略中的调节作用。本研究考虑了 PSC 参与者的相互作用。这项研究表明，权力不对称是一个抑制反应策略有效性的关系概念。因此，本研究通过强调供应链 (SC) 合作伙伴之间决策过程的重要性，从整体角度提倡权力在实现更具弹性的 PSC 方面的重要性。如果 PSC 弹性被视为 CAS，则这些发现特别相关。由于其固有的复杂性，所有交互和决策过程都会影响结果。

实际影响

作者发现，基于权力的行为会影响复原力策略。由于 PSC 的复杂性，它不利于被动策略，但通过资源共享有利于主动策略。因此，鼓励 PSC 参与者采取积极主动的策略，因为这可能有助于减轻中断的影响。然而，基于权力的行为会引起合作伙伴的不满。这种不满甚至可能发生在战略联盟中，表明权力可能不利于主动战略。因此，在寻求战略合作伙伴关系时，确定导致不满的条件是相关的。本研究提供了对影响弹性的实际行为的洞察，并量化了它们对 PSC 的影响。

原创性/价值

以前的 PSC 管理和复原力研究没有考察权力在 PSC 中建立复原力的作用。因此，本文通过确定权力在 PSC 弹性中的作用提供了独特的贡献，为未来构建 PSC 弹性策略的实践和研究提供了实证证据和新颖的理论视角。