Recommendations to Address Supply Chain Disruptions and Factory Shutdowns

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Issues

Need two recommendations that would have fixed the issues and justify why they will work.

❗️Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Here’s a clear, step-by-step structure to help you write your paper:

Begin by introducing the importance of supply chain management in today’s global economy.
Briefly describe the two issues:
1. Semiconductor shortages and supply chain disruptions.
2. Factory shutdowns, production halts, and labor shortages.
End your introduction with a thesis statement like:
“This paper will recommend two strategies—supply chain diversification/localized production and workforce resilience planning—to address these challenges and ensure long-term stability.”

Describe how the semiconductor shortage disrupted global industries (e.g., automotive, electronics).
Provide context on why reliance on limited suppliers created vulnerabilities.

Recommendation 1: Diversification of Suppliers and Localized Production

Explain that companies should spread risk by sourcing from multiple suppliers across different regions.
Justify why this works: reduces dependency, increases resilience, shortens lead times.
Support with an example (Intel and TSMC building new plants in the U.S. and Europe).

Explain how shutdowns during COVID-19 exposed weaknesses in labor dependence and rigid manufacturing systems.
Highlight how worker shortages halted production in industries like automotive and electronics.

Recommendation 2: Workforce Resilience Planning and Flexible Manufacturing Systems

Propose cross-training workers, adopting automation, and flexible manufacturing systems.
Justify why this works: ensures production continuity, reduces reliance on specific labor pools, allows quicker adaptation to disruptions.
Provide an example of how lean manufacturing helped companies pivot during crises.

Summarize both recommendations.
Restate why diversification and workforce resilience are sustainable solutions.
End with a forward-looking statement, e.g., “By implementing these strategies, companies can better prepare for future global disruptions and maintain competitive advantage.”

Use at least 2–3 credible sources. Examples:

Christopher, M. (2016). Logistics & supply chain management. Pearson UK.
Ivanov, D. (2020). Viable supply chain model: Integrating agility, resilience, and sustainability perspectives. International Journal of Production Research, 58(10), 2904–2915.
Gereffi, G. (2020). What does the COVID-19 pandemic teach us about global value chains? Journal of International Business Policy, 3, 287–301.