Toward Defense Supply Chain Disruption Management: A Research Agenda for Defense Supply Chain Resilience

Abstract

This report represents the primary output of a study co-led by RAND, a nonpartisan, not-forprofit research organization, and the Swedish Defence Research Agency (Totalförsvarets forskningsinstitut; FOI), an assignment-based authority under the Swedish Ministry of Defence.This project aimed to outline a research agenda to understand how defense supply chains can better withstand unanticipated and highly impactful disruptions whose probability and impact cannot be readily calculated or quantified. Specifically, the project team set out to identify the current state of the research on supply chain risk management, supply chain disruption management, and supply chain resilience, both within the defense sector and across the broader commercial landscape. The project team also explored the unique characteristics of defense sector supply chains and the ways in which practices from other sectors might or might not be applicable. Finally, as part of this research project, the team also sought to identify knowledge gaps or broader questions that might not appear in the literature. These knowledge gaps were then used to generate a research agenda. This report should be of interest to public and private sector practitioners because of its comprehensive perspective on defense supply chains. RAND Center for Global Risk and SecurityThis work was undertaken by the RAND Center for Global Risk and Security, part of International Programs at RAND. The center explores systemic risks to global security, drawing on researchers' expertise in multiple disciplines to complement and expand RAND research in such fields as security, economics, health, and technology. A board of distinguished business leaders, philanthropists, and former policymakers advises and supports center activities, which are increasingly focused on global security trends and the effects of disruptive technologies on risk and security. For more information, visit www.rand.org/international/cgrs.html or contact the director (contact information is provided on the webpage). The Swedish Defence Research AgencyFOI is a government agency under the Swedish Ministry of Defence that is primarily focused on assignment-based activities. Its largest clients are the Swedish Armed Forces, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, the Swedish Government Offices, and the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency; however, it also has many assignments from other government authorities, municipalities, and companies within the defense and security fields. iv Funding