<P> In recent studies, resilience, as "the ability of a supply chain to cope with change", is regarded as the next phase in the evolution of traditional, place - centric enterprise structures to highly virtualized, customer - centric structures that enable people to work anytime, anywhere . </P> <P> Resilient supply networks should align its strategy and operations to adapt to risk that affects its capacities . There are 4 levels of supply chain resilience . First is reactive supply chain management . Second is internal supply chain integration with planned buffers . Then comes collaboration across extended supply chain networks . Finally is a dynamic supply chain adaptation and flexibility . </P> <P> It is not about responding to a one - time crisis, or just having a flexible supply chain . It is about continuously anticipating and adjusting to discontinuities that can permanently impair the value proposition of a core business with special focus on delivering customer satisfaction . Strategic resilience, requires continuous innovation with respect to product structures, processes, but also corporate behaviour . </P> <P> Recent research suggests that supply chains can also contribute to firm resilience . </P>

Includes the activities involved in getting goods and services to customers