Supply Chain Resilience: A Resource-Based View (RBV) Approach

In an increasingly volatile global business environment, supply chain resilience (SCR) has emerged as a critical strategic capability. Organizations are facing disruptions due to natural disasters, pandemics, geopolitical tensions, cyber threats, and fluctuating market demands. As a response, the Resource-Based View (RBV) offers a powerful lens to understand and develop sustainable competitive advantages through resilient supply chains.

In this article, we will explore how the RBV framework enhances supply chain resilience, why it's essential in today's marketplace, and what strategies businesses can implement to build resilient supply chains grounded in RBV principles.

What is Supply Chain Resilience?

Supply chain resilience refers to a company’s ability to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from unexpected disruptions. It involves not only reactive responses but also proactive risk management strategies to ensure continuity, minimize losses, and sustain customer satisfaction.

Key attributes of a resilient supply chain include:

• Flexibility

• Redundancy

• Visibility

• Collaboration

• Agility

But how can companies build these capabilities strategically? This is where the Resource-Based View becomes a valuable tool.

Understanding the Resource-Based View (RBV)

The Resource-Based View (RBV) is a strategic management theory that suggests that firms gain sustainable competitive advantages by possessing and effectively leveraging valuable, rare, inimitable, and non-substitutable (VRIN) resources.

According to the RBV, resources can be:

• Tangible: Infrastructure, equipment, inventory

• Intangible: Knowledge, culture, relationships, brand reputation

• Human: Skills, expertise, leadership

The RBV argues that it's not just about having resources—it's about how effectively those resources are organized and deployed to create value in ways competitors can't easily replicate.

Linking RBV to Supply Chain Resilience

Applying the RBV to supply chain resilience means identifying and cultivating internal capabilities that enable the firm to better manage risk, adapt to disruptions, and recover more efficiently than competitors.

1. Valuable Resources for Resilience

Resources that help a firm reduce the impact of supply chain disruptions are inherently valuable. Examples include:

• Advanced forecasting systems

• Integrated ERP software

• Real-time supply chain visibility tools

• Strategic supplier relationships

These resources enhance decision-making and enable faster responses to disruptions.

2. Rare Capabilities

Resilient supply chains often rely on unique capabilities not widely available in the industry. For example:

• A proprietary logistics network

• Custom-built digital twins for supply chain simulation

• Highly collaborative vendor ecosystems

Such rare capabilities offer a strategic edge during crises.

3. Inimitable Practices

Practices embedded in organizational culture and history—like deep trust with suppliers or long-term commitment to sustainability—are hard for competitors to imitate.

These inimitable resources increase resilience by promoting loyalty, flexibility, and mutual support during disruptions.

4. Non-Substitutable Strengths

Certain resources, such as a highly skilled supply chain analytics team or a deeply integrated cross-functional risk management culture, are difficult to substitute.

These strengths ensure that resilience strategies are not easily replaced by external solutions, reinforcing competitive advantage.

Strategies to Build Supply Chain Resilience Using RBV

1. Invest in Digital Capabilities

Digital tools like AI, blockchain, IoT, and predictive analytics enhance supply chain visibility and responsiveness. These technologies become VRIN resources when integrated uniquely into a firm's operations.

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• supply chain visibility tools

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2. Develop Human Capital

A skilled, experienced, and agile supply chain team is a key intangible asset. Investing in training, cross-functional learning, and leadership development creates unique internal capabilities.

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• supply chain talent development

• resilient supply chain leadership

• human capital in RBV

3. Foster Strategic Supplier Relationships

Strong supplier partnerships built on trust and shared goals act as rare and inimitable resources. Collaboration during disruption is often the differentiator between recovery and failure.

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• supplier collaboration for resilience

• strategic partnerships in supply chain

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4. Enhance Organizational Learning

Firms that systematically learn from past disruptions and integrate lessons into processes develop a strong knowledge base—an intangible, inimitable asset.

SEO Keywords:

• supply chain risk learning

• post-disruption evaluation

• continuous improvement in resilience

5. Create Redundancy and Flexibility

While traditionally seen as costly, redundancy—such as multiple suppliers or excess inventory—can be valuable when viewed through the RBV lens as a resilience capability.

SEO Keywords:

• supply chain redundancy

• multi-sourcing strategies

• flexible supply chain design

Benefits of RBV-Aligned Supply Chain Resilience

1. Sustainable Competitive Advantage

   • Unique capabilities help outperform competitors in turbulent environments.

2. Improved Risk Management

   • Proactive identification and mitigation of supply chain vulnerabilities.

3. Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty

   • Consistent delivery and service during disruptions strengthen brand reputation.

4. Operational Agility

   • Fast response and recovery without excessive costs.

5. Strategic Resource Allocation

   • Focus on developing and protecting key resilience capabilities.

Case Example: Apple Inc.

Apple exemplifies RBV-aligned supply chain resilience. The company maintains:

• Exclusive, long-term supplier relationships (rare and inimitable)

• Advanced proprietary logistics and tracking systems (valuable and inimitable)

• A highly skilled operations team (human capital)

• Backup suppliers and multi-sourcing strategies (redundancy and flexibility)

These resources allow Apple to adapt quickly to disruptions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, semiconductor shortages, and geopolitical tensions.

Final Thoughts: Why RBV Matters More Than Ever

As global supply chains face mounting uncertainty, adopting a Resource-Based View of resilience allows businesses to focus on building and leveraging internal strengths. It’s not about reacting faster than others—it's about being inherently better equipped to adapt and thrive in the face of disruption.

Supply chain resilience, when developed as a VRIN-based capability, becomes more than a shield against disruption—it becomes a source of enduring strategic advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the RBV in supply chain management?

RBV (Resource-Based View) in supply chain management focuses on building internal capabilities and resources that are valuable, rare, inimitable, and non-substitutable to gain competitive advantage and enhance resilience.

How does RBV improve supply chain resilience?

RBV helps identify and strengthen unique capabilities—such as digital tools, strategic partnerships, and organizational culture—that enable better risk management, agility, and recovery from disruptions.

What are examples of VRIN resources in supply chains?

Examples include proprietary software, experienced supply chain teams, exclusive supplier contracts, and integrated planning systems.