Challenges in Digitalization for a Holistic and Transparent Pandemic Supply Chain

Covid-19 supply chain disruptions clearly illustrated deficiencies in central coordination. Meaningful improvement in central coordination of supply chains will require transparency into resource stocks and flows. Latest technology, like 5G, blockchain and IoT, are primed to provide this transparency for collaboration during pandemics. This will improve agility and service, reduce inventory and enable reverse logistics benefits. Furthermore, transparent global networks can allow more inclusive and equitable distribution of critical supply, yielding quicker resolution to pandemics. However, many challenges exist that portend to delay the adoption of a holistic and transparent digitalized supply chain. This paper explores the most recent pandemic with attention to the limiting factors at all levels of emergent global crisis response.