Navigating scarcity: Strategic optimisation and resilience in the contemporary supply chain and procurement landscape

Examining the prevalent ‘do more with less’ imperative within contemporary supply chain management and procurement, the aim of this paper is to reframe this challenge beyond simplistic cost reduction towards strategic optimisation and organisational resilience. The analysis synthesises academic research and industry practices to address the problem of unsustainable pressure and potential burnout resulting from poorly implemented scarcity mandates. Key findings identify the limitations of traditional productivity metrics, the necessity of integrating technological advancements with human-centric strategies, the significant cognitive impact of factors such as financial worry, and the trend towards agile, data-driven and ethically grounded supply chain operations. The paper concludes that successfully navigating scarcity requires a holistic approach balancing efficiency with employee well-being, fostered by ethical leadership and a culture of continuous improvement. This strategic perspective enables organisations not just to cope with constraints but to leverage them for sustainable value creation and competitive advantage. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.