Maintaining efficient logistics and supply chain management operations during and after coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: learning from the past experiences

Abstract

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) forced the governing bodies across the world to ban all kinds of travel involving the movement of people. However, the policymakers have been working hard to mobilize the movement of essential goods and services considering its importance in containing the pandemic. It signifies how important the establishment and maintenance of logistics and supply chain management (LSCM) operations are, both during the containment and the successive periods. Motivated with the paramount importance of LSCM operations during the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) across the globe, this paper critically reviews the existing literature closely related to it. The main aim is to identify and enhance the understanding of the logistical characteristics that play a vital role during pandemics. The selection of the literature was done using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) methodology. The classification of the selected literature was done using a tripartite framework. Results show that researchers have focused mostly on "Post-event" (48.24%) management of logistical operations followed by the "Pre-event" (31.76%) and least in the "Integrated" (20%.) approaches. Furthermore, the analysis of the results provided useful insights that are discussed in detail. Also, twelve key areas have been identified that need due attention to improve the overall efficiency of the LSCM operations. We believe that the findings from this paper would be useful to the decision-makers and other stakeholders, as far as, maintaining efficient LSCM operations during as well after the pandemics are concerned.

Keywords: Coronavirus/COVID-19; Decision-making; Emergency control logistics; Emergency supply chain; Pandemic.

Fig. 1

Developed tripartite framework to classify the selected literature

Fig. 2

Classification of the selected LSCM literature according to tripartite framework

Fig. 3

The end-to-end approach of LSCM operations

Fig. 4

Four stages of containment effort during epidemics (proposed by WHO)

Fig. 5

Distribution of various characteristics across the collected LSCM literature related to epidemics/pandemics. a Distribution of logistical attributes across the reviewed literature. b Distribution of objectives of the reviewed literature. c Distribution of constraints across the reviewed literature. d Distribution of problem formulation/methodology applied across the reviewed literature. e Distribution of optimization (solutions) methods adopted across the reviewed literature. f Distribution of nature of study undertaken across the reviewed literature