Assessing operational resilience in food supply chains: a discrete-event simulation approach based on a framework for integrated decision-making

Food supply chains (FSCs) play a critical role in ensuring food security but face increasing vulnerabilities to disruptions. With the objective to mitigate these challenges, this study focuses on assessing operational resilience within the Austrian dairy supply chain during sudden demand spikes. For this purpose, we introduce a novel framework for integrated decision-making which encompasses strategic, tactical, and operational perspectives, augmented with modular building blocks for FSC modelling and simulation. Based on this framework, we develop a discrete-event simulation model to assess and quantify the impact of strategic, tactical, and operational interventions on operational resilience. Our analysis reveals the effectiveness of upstream buffer stocks, adapted reordering strategies, and operational adjustments in response to demand increases. However, no single intervention consistently outperforms others across all performance metrics, emphasising the importance of tailored intervention selection. Hence, the major contributions, i.e. (1) the framework for integrated decision-making and (2) the quantification of potential interventions to enhance operational resilience, are useful for improving the operational resilience of FSCs and increase their ability to supply essentials in the short term despite disruptions. The results assist FSC actors in making more informed decisions to enhance operational resilience.