A Meta-Analytic Review of Supply Chain Risk Management: Assessing Buffering and Bridging Strategies and Firm Performance

Abstract

Supply chain risk management has received considerable attention as firms experience more frequent and severe impact disruptions. We meta-analytically test the Bode et al. (2011) framework of buffering and bridging supply chain risk management strategies to determine their effect on supply chain risk management. We analyze the supply chain risk management literature to find that both buffering and bridging strategies contribute to supply chain risk management. We also address the benefit of supply chain risk management. Results indicate that supply chain risk management provides a strong contribution to overall firm performance. Additionally, we identify cultural differences of these relationships. Although supply chain risk management strategies may be applied universally, their efficacy varies by culture. In conclusion, we identify and provide guidance for future work.