The impact of supply chain complexity and incongruence on operational resilience: the mediating role of adaptive learning and resource specificity

Purpose This study aims to examine how firms sustain operational resilience under high supply chain (SC) complexity and incongruence in operational complexity across partners, and to test whether adaptive learning and resource specificity mediate these effects. Design/methodology/approach Grounded in complex adaptive systems theory, we investigate the mediating roles of adaptive learning and resource specificity in fostering resilience under conditions of high SC complexity and incongruence. Incongruence refers to the misalignment in operational complexity that a focal firm experiences across key SC partners (e.g. suppliers and third-party logistics providers) when fulfilling the same client orders. We analyse firm-level data from European companies and apply latent congruence modelling to test the hypotheses. Findings Both adaptive learning and resource specificity mediate the relationship between SC complexity level and resilience, underscoring their essential roles in managing complexity. When faced with SC incongruence, firms sustain resilience by intensifying adaptive learning in relationships involving lower-complexity operations, aligning them with more demanding ones elsewhere in the chain. Originality/value This study empirically demonstrates how firms cultivate resilience within complex operational environments through adaptive mechanisms. It advances theory by uncovering the role of SC incongruence, a critical yet underexplored structural condition in shaping firms' adaptive learning to sustain resilience. In practice, the findings offer guidance for firms navigating heterogeneous, high-complexity supply networks, highlighting adaptive mechanisms as strategic levers for building resilient operations.