Effects of the Pandemic on the Supply Chain in the Construction Industry
Effects of the Pandemic on the Supply Chain in the Construction Industry

Author(s): Johannes Regner, Milan Fekete
Subject(s): Social Sciences, Economy
Published by: Udruženje ekonomista i menadžera Balkana
Keywords: Crisis management; Digitalization; Infrastructure
Summary/Abstract: The present study focuses on digitalization strategies within the realm of supply chain management, wherein the focus is set on the specific economic environment of companies in the supply chain of critical infrastructure providers. Digitalization strategies are within this paper discussed concerning supply chain management and its relevance to the ongoing and influential COVID-19 crisis, where digital strategies of collaboration and management became imperative. To address the research question about the state of implementation of digital strategies within this specific industry, a qualitative empirical study was conducted. Experts from companies acting as suppliers of critical infrastructure were interviewed in an online setting regarding their own experiences with the implementation of digital strategies and according to challenges. Within the analysis of these interviews, it became obvious that digital strategies pre-crisis were only rarely implemented, with only one out of seven experts reporting about more advanced strategies. The COVID-19 crisis is described to be an accelerator regarding digitalization, although specific challenges resulting from unclear legal situations and frameworks are reported.

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