Visibility hotspots in supply chains: insights from multiple case studies

Purpose Crystal-clear visibility is the lifeblood of competitive advantage, yet “visibility hotspots” act as choke points, strangling information flow and crippling supply chains. This study delves into these critical blind spots, revealing their manifestation and threats to performance, paving the way for a smoother, more competitive supply chain. Design/methodology/approach Through multiple real-world case studies and semi-structured interviews with supply chain managers, this study explores the factors behind these visibility hotspots and their crippling consequences. A fuzzy visibility hotspots assessment method is introduced to facilitate the exploration. Findings The study confirms “visibility hotspots” as significant roadblocks in industrial management, with diverse causes linked to both supply chain processes and visibility influencing factors. Importantly, supply chain managers see the innovative “fuzzy assessment method” as a key tool to identify and tackle these blind spots, paving the way for enhanced competitive advantage. Originality/value This study introduces a novel methodology for identifying supply chain visibility hotspots, empowering practitioners to gain unprecedented clarity across their entire chain. This unlocks critical insights, leading to enhanced visibility, more efficient resource management and a stronger competitive edge.