Pandemic-related inventory management practices and financial performance: exploring the roles of pandemic-related production uncertainty and big data analytics capability

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies began to implement pandemic-related inventory management practices (PRIMP), such as keeping large inventories of critical materials. Despite the cost-related considerations of holding inventory buffers, a crucial question has been raised by both researchers and practitioners: how companies can achieve superior financial performance through the implementation of PRIMP in uncertain and data-rich environments? To address this question, this study explores the moderating role of pandemic-related production uncertainty (PPU) and the mediating role of big data analytics capability (BDAC). Based on the analysis of survey data gathered from manufacturers in China, this study reveals that BDAC fully mediates the PRIMP-financial performance relationship, and that PPU moderates the BDAC-financial performance relationship. The empirical findings offer meaningful guidance for managers to implement PRIMP in uncertain and data-rich times.