Presenting a Model of Critical Success Factors to Cope with the Ripple Effect in Iran's Machine-Made Carpet Supply Chain: Corona Pandemic Effects

Abstract

Supply chains that are meant to survive must be able to cope with disruptions. The COVID-19 pandemic was one of the most important disruptions that could cause a ripple effect in the supply chain. A ripple effect refers to a disruption that affects other parts of the supply chain like a domino effect, and while the probability of its occurrence is low, its impact is high. This study aims to identify the key success factors for coping with the ripple effect in Iran's machine-made carpet supply chain. In this research, the critical success factors were identified based on in-depth interviews. Then, using the fuzzy cognitive map approach, a model of the critical success factors was created. The statistical population of this research consists of experts in the machine-made carpet industry. The findings showed that there are 23 critical success factors to cope with the ripple effect in the machine-made carpet supply chain. Among them, "supply chain digitization", "capable and efficient managers", and "supply chain collaboration" were identified as the most essential influencing factors, while "supply chain collaboration", "proper planning", and "flexibility in production" were identified as the most important central factors that require special attention. Therefore, policymakers are recommended to focus on enhancing these areas by promoting business intelligence and supply chain management, making universities more mission-oriented, organizing empowerment workshops for managers, and removing supply chain behavioral barriers.

Keywords

• supply chain
• ripple effect
• critical success factors
• corona pandemic
• machine-made carpet