Date of Conferral
4-2-2025
Date of Award
April 2025
Degree
Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)
School
Business Administration
Advisor
Walter McCollum
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown the global supply chain into chaos, causing many companies to shut down. Supply chain leaders are concerned about global supply disruptions because they negatively impact profitability and daily life in society. Grounded in resource dependence theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry is to explore the strategies that supply chain leaders implement to address the profitability issues triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants include five successful supply chain leaders selected from social media platforms, residing in different states across the United States. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews via Zoom and from online publications. Employing thematic analysis and Yin’s five-stage iterative data analysis process yielded seven key themes: (a) supply shortages, (b) workforce shortages, (c) increasing expenses, (d) risk management and resilience, (e) technology, (f) collaboration, and (g) forward-thinking. The primary recommendation for supply chain leaders is to assess potential disruptions and develop a proactive plan to mitigate profitability issues. The implications for positive social change include the potential for supply chain leaders and other supply chain professionals to create opportunities to prevent supply chain disruptions and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of supply chains, ultimately benefiting many companies and communities.
Recommended Citation
Franklin, Sherri Janay, "Effective Strategies Used by Supply Chain Leaders to Mitigate Profitability Issues Created by the COVID-19 Pandemic" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 17557.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/17557
