Final answer:
The impact of a lack of coordination in a supply chain results in both increased costs and decreased responsiveness. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted these challenges and showed the importance of efficient supply chains for maintaining product availability and market stability. Technological advancements and improved labor policies are essential for a more resilient supply chain.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lack of coordination in a supply chain affects both costs and responsiveness by making it more costly and challenging to provide a certain level of product availability. The correct answer to the impact of the lack of coordination in a supply chain is c) Both a and b, meaning it leads to increased costs and decreased responsiveness.
During disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic, these issues became forefront, as lack of coordination led to shutdowns, a slowdown in production, inflation, and economic instability, all of which exacerbated supply chain challenges.
Supply chain issues can be mitigated with advanced technology, improved transportation methods, and robust policies for maintaining supply chains during emergencies. Moreover, integrating sound labor policies and investment in labor forces are crucial for the resilience and efficiency of supply chains, especially when considering the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and its long-term impacts on global markets and employment.
Finally, environmental factors such as climate change also demand that supply chains become more adaptive, as these factors can significantly impact crop yields and raw material availability, adding another layer of complexity to supply chain management.