Transport collaboration network among competitors to improve supply chain antifragility

Abstract

Purpose

Disruptions are appearing more frequently and having an ever greater impact on supply chains (SC), affecting the vulnerability and sustainability of organisations. Our study proposes an innovative approach to address contemporary challenges by introducing coopetition as a strategic capability. The aim of this study is to enable companies to adapt and thrive by applying a tool that measures and monitors different logistical scenarios to improve performance and antifragility.

Design/methodology/approach

With the aim of jointly planning transport activities of two competing companies, we present a linear programming model that promotes synergies which enhance resource utilisation. To demonstrate the validity of the model, a case study is conducted to measure, monitor and evaluate the results obtained after collaborating on SC activities.

Findings

Current tools to support logistics planning are not effective because they hamper information exchange, cost allocation and performance measurements. Our innovative model optimises collaborative networks (CNs) and monitors economic, environmental and social improvements. The case study shows the reduction of logistics costs (13%), carbon footprint (37%) and the improvement of social antifragility when agility and flexibility emerge.

Originality/value

CNs have become an effective means of enhancing resilience, but there are no empirical contributions to demonstrate how to achieve this. We provide a real case with computational experiments that provide empirical evidence of the effectiveness of the model, which measures, optimises and evaluates SC performance in coopetitive environments. This approach is a guide to researchers and practitioners when creating simulations to reduce risks and facilitate decision-making.