91直播 reveals how UK manufacturers can stay afloat when global crises hit
New research from The University of Manchester has shed light on how British manufacturers can better survive - and even thrive - during major global shocks such as pandemics, wars and economic turmoil.
The study, which has been published in , was based on 205 UK manufacturing firms - and it offers hope that companies can be more resilient than they may think.
Dr Oluwaseun Olabode from Alliance 91直播 Business School and her fellow researchers found that two strategies known as 鈥榖ridging鈥� and 鈥榖uffering鈥� help companies protect their most important customers when chaos hits the global supply chain. While these might sound like technical terms, the researchers say the ideas are rooted in something simple - human relationships and smart backup planning.
Bridging, the study explains, is all about staying closely connected with suppliers and customers - working together, sharing information and solving problems as a team. Buffering, on the other hand, means having reliable fallback options like extra suppliers or alternative delivery routes, so a single breakdown doesn鈥檛 bring everything to a halt.
The research was driven by a question asked by many during COVID-19 - why did some companies crumble under pressure while others adapted overnight?
One of the key findings is that simply building close relationships (bridging) isn鈥檛 enough on its own to protect financial performance. Instead, companies benefit most when they combine strong relationships with practical backup plans. The research also found that buffering - having alternatives ready to put into action - had the strongest direct financial impact.
Perhaps most importantly, the study highlights 鈥榬esponsiveness鈥� - a firm鈥檚 ability to change quickly when customers suddenly need something different. This proved essential for success during large-scale disruptions, such as the pandemic or global geopolitical tensions.
Our study shows that when a major crisis hits, companies that can adapt quickly - by changing their products, speeding up processes or finding new supply routes - are the ones that protect jobs, customers and revenue. Responsiveness is what really turns resilience into results.
The findings come at a time when UK manufacturers are still recovering from the pandemic, coping with Brexit-related pressures and dealing with rising geopolitical uncertainty. For many firms, especially those serving large, strategically important customers, a single delay or supply failure can put long-standing relationships at risk.
The study offers reassurance that even smaller manufacturers can build resilience - not just industry giants.