SUPER DISRUPTIONS AND SUPPLY CHAIN CRISES: THE CASE OF LUMBER IN THE UNITED STATES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020-2021 wreaked havoc on supply chains around the world. The forest products industry and, specifically, the lumber industry have been no exception with the price of lumber rising in the United States to levels not seen since the housing boom of the post-World War II period. The rise has also affected downstream industries such as the creation of single and multi-family housing and transportation products such as pallets. This study examined empirical evidence to determine if the lumber industry crisis qualified as a super disruption versus an instantaneous disruption by examining the four criteria of impact, scope, recovery, and timing. The study found that the lumber industry met all four of these characteristics as they relate to a super disruption or a supply chain crisis. An outline is then presented to develop a responsive and dynamic supply chain management business model that attempts to integrate resilience and adaption at different stages of an outbreak or crisis.