Traditional and Innovative Managerial Adaptations in Dairy Supply Chains During COVID-19: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global dairy supply chains and threatened business continuity from farms to retail outlets. There is limited understanding of how operational-level managerial decisions supported resilience in this perishable sector. Methods: This study applies a systematic literature review based on PRISMA 2020 guidelines. It analyses 21 peer-reviewed studies published between 2019 and 2025 across 19 countries. Results: The findings identify 8 primary supply chain challenges. Adaptive responses are classified into traditional and innovative managerial adaptations. Traditional adaptations rely on established practices such as production adjustments, cross-training, and product reallocation to stabilise short-term performance. Innovative adaptations involve structural and analytical approaches such as network optimisation, digital coordination, and scenario planning to support long-term resilience. The results also reveal differences between developed and developing economies. Conclusions: Resilient dairy supply chains require both operational continuity and structural innovation. This study proposes a sector-specific classification of managerial adaptations and highlights directions for future research.