Harnessing supply chain resilience and social performance through safety and health practices in the COVID-19 era: An investigation of normative pressures and adoption timing's role

This research studies the impact of normative pressure (NP) on safety and health practices (SHP) and the influence of the latter on social performance (SP) and supply chain resilience (SCR) under the moderating role of adoption timing of SHP following COVID-19 outbreak. The theoretical background of this research is anchored in a social-ecological perspective of SCR and draws on the novel combination of stakeholders' resources-based view (SRBV) and institutional pressure theories. The findings of the empirical study using structural equation modeling analysis indicate that NP influences positively and significantly SHP. Also, a positive and significant impact of SHP on both of SCR and SP is revealed. This study provides several insights by highlighting how firms adopting social sustainability practices such as SHP can build stronger resilience to various threats of disruptive events while improving their SP. Such positive outcomes can be achieved by implementing safety protocols, ensuring health monitoring and communication, and establishing contingency plans based on stakeholders’ requirements in a timely manner.