Mitigating supply chain disruption: the importance of top management support to collaboration and flexibility

Today's lean globally disbursed organisations need to be able to react quickly to supply chain disruptions. One method of planning for adequate response is to engage in a strategic planning process that increases organisational flexibility. In this study, we examine the relationship between collaboration and flexibility, the relationships of information technology use and comprehensive planning to collaboration, and the effect of top management support on each of those variables. Our results give both academicians and practitioners an understanding of how these processes fit together to enhance an organization's ability to react to supply chain disruptions. Managers can use the information to prioritise resources throughout the planning process.