Business executives
have recently indicated that supply chain disruptions represent a major threat
to their firm’s profitability and revenue growth (Smyrlis, 2006; Hendricks and
Singhal, 2009). In the literature, a
number of conceptual studies have suggested that supply chain complexity is a
main driver of supply chain disruptions (Choi & Krause, 2006; Christopher &
Lee, 2004; Juettner et al., 2003). Other studies have suggested that the degree
of coupling in the supply chain is a major determinant of supply chain
disruptions (Agrawal and Nahimias, 1997; Ahuja, 2000). Building on the theoretical foundation of
Normal Accident Theory (NAT), this paper proposes a nuanced relationship
between supply chain complexity and coupling and their collective impact on
supply chain disruptions. Through an empirical examination, we seek to validate
the theoretical proposition that complex, tightly coupled systems are inherently
prone to failures or accidents. This study contributes significantly to the
supply chain management discourse, providing a detailed analysis of the
mechanisms underlying supply chain vulnerabilities and offering practical
guidance for developing more resilient and responsive supply chain systems. Our
findings invite future research to further explore the intricacies of supply
chain disruptions, complexity, and coupling, aiming to refine and expand upon
the mitigation strategies discussed herein.
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