Record |
Author |
Kees Boersma; Robert Larruina |
Title |
Restoring the Medical Supply Chain from Below: The Role of Social Entrepreneurship in the Production of Face Masks during the Covid-19 Crisis |
Type |
Conference Article |
Year |
2021 |
Publication |
ISCRAM 2021 Conference Proceedings – 18th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management |
Abbreviated Journal |
Iscram 2021 |
Volume |
|
Issue |
|
Pages |
260-269 |
Keywords |
COVID-19 crisis response, supply chain, personal protection equipment, face masks, social entrepreneurship, resilience |
Abstract |
The COVID-19 pandemic hit societies all over the world deeply. Since it has affected societies worldwide and compromised socio-technical systems across geographical, judicial and administrative borders it can be considered a cross-border, transboundary crisis. This dimension has exposed the global medical supply chain's vulnerability. Due to its 'lean and mean' characteristics the supply chain was unable to function adequately during the crisis and formal authorities struggled to restore it, causing serious problems in the response to the pandemic. At the same time, numerous initiatives from below tried to give a (partial) answer on how to restore the broken supply chain. This paper presents a case study about a Dutch social enterprise (i.e. the Refugee Company) engaged with the cross-border dimension of the COVID-19 crisis. The Refugee Company set up a supply chain, operation and (domestic) production of personal protection equipment (PPE) materials, in particular face masks. The paper draws on data collected through qualitative methods, including document analysis (secondary sources), interviews and observations. The conclusion is that social entrepreneurs and enterprises played a crucial role in restoring the supply chain. The paper provides valuable lessons for both policy makers and crisis managers: there is great potential in recognizing the entrepreneurial activities from below in strengthening supply chains at times of crisis, potentially making them more sustainable and resilient. |
Address |
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam; Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam |
Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
Publisher |
Virginia Tech |
Place of Publication |
Blacksburg, VA (USA) |
Editor |
Anouck Adrot; Rob Grace; Kathleen Moore; Christopher W. Zobel |
Language |
English |
Summary Language |
English |
Original Title |
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Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
|
Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
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Edition |
|
ISSN |
978-1-949373-61-5 |
ISBN |
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Medium |
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Track |
Cross-Border & Transboundary Resilience |
Expedition |
|
Conference |
18th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management |
Notes |
f.k.boersma@vu.nl |
Approved |
no |
Call Number |
ISCRAM @ idladmin @ |
Serial |
2331 |
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