Public-Private Partnerships: Policy Prescription During the Era of Pandemics.
Harraf, Lightfoot & Cole
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions in global supply chains that have resulted in prolonged shortages and financial hardships for many corporations. While organizations have dealt with supply chain interruptions for natural disasters and stock market crashes before, the COVID-19 pandemic presented a larger challenge, and it required the need for resilient supply chains. This paper discusses several alternatives that can mitigate potential supply chain disruptions. Despite the natural inclination to protect domestic companies and industries, this paper cautions against the use of protectionism policies to prevent supply chain disruptions, as protectionism is damaging to innovation and eliminates the positive aspects of globalization. The paper recommends that governments and corporations establish strategically designed and aligned public-private partnerships that simultaneously encourage the principles of the free-market economy while providing increased preparation for supply chain disruptions caused by global events. Public-private partnerships will increase supply chain resiliency and enhance public welfare.