Supply networks are regularly affected by events that trigger supply disruptions, entailing severe consequences for firms and their supply networks. Hence, the ability of firms to withstand and recover from disruptions (i.e., their resilience) is vital to their long-term survival. Prior research suggests that the complexity of a firm’s supply network is critical in determining its resilience to disruptions, but tensions arise when delineating the precise nature of the relationship between supply network complexity and resilience. In this research, we investigate whether and how three facets of supply network complexity—supply complexity (nodes in the network), logistics complexity (arcs in the network), and product complexity (contents moving through the network)—influence a firm’s ability to resist and recover from disruptions. We empirically investigate this relationship in the context of automotive sector shipments from Japan to the United States before, during, and after the 2011 Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami, using the difference-in-differences technique. Results indicate that the relationship between supply network complexity and resilience is multifaceted; some aspects of supply network complexity intensify disruption impact, whereas others enhance disruption recovery.

中文翻译：

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复杂性的阴暗面：供应网络弹性的双重视角

供应网络经常受到引发供应中断的事件的影响，给公司及其供应网络带来严重后果。因此，企业抵御破坏和从破坏中恢复的能力（即它们的弹性）对其长期生存至关重要。先前的研究表明，公司供应网络的复杂性对于确定其应对中断的弹性至关重要，但在描绘供应网络复杂性和弹性之间关系的确切性质时会出现紧张局势。在这项研究中，我们调查了供应网络复杂性的三个方面——供应复杂性（网络中的节点）、物流复杂性（网络中的弧线）和产品复杂性（通过网络移动的内容）——是否以及如何影响公司的能力抵抗并从中断中恢复。我们使用差异中的差异技术，在 2011 年日本地震和海啸之前、期间和之后从日本到美国的汽车行业出货量的背景下，实证研究了这种关系。结果表明，供应网络复杂性和弹性之间的关系是多方面的；供应网络复杂性的某些方面加剧了中断影响，而其他方面则增强了中断恢复。