YSU business professor publishes national research on supply chain resilience and sustainability

Recent publications by Alina Marculetiu, assistant professor of management and marketing in Youngstown State University's Williamson College of Business Administration are providing practical guidance for business leaders while advancing national conversations on supply chain management and sustainability. Her two articles examine how organizations respond to disruption, uncertainty and increasing environmental expectations.

One of the publications, featured in Supply Chain Management Review, draws on over 40 interviews with small and medium-sized business leaders and trade experts to explore how organizations can respond when supply chain conditions change unexpectedly. The article, titled "Finding Your Rhythm: SME Supply Chain Footwork When the Rules Keep Changing" and co-authored with Sebastian Bockhaus, introduces the concept of "supply chain choreography" — the ability of businesses to coordinate effectively with suppliers, customers and partners to maintain flexibility and resilience despite disruption.

"The United States is entering uncharted territory marked by supply chain disruptions, regionalization and shifting global trade patterns," said Mousa Kassis and Mariah Hauser of the Ohio Small Business Development Center and Export Assistance Network. "Against this backdrop, this study is both timely and highly relevant. It provides important findings and clear guidance to help regional and local companies navigate international trade challenges. We are proud to be a contributing part of this effort."

The second article, titled "Benchmarking Institutional Pressures and Environmental Practices in Sustainable Supply Chains: Two Decades of Foundational Research" and recently published in Benchmarking: An International Journal, examines more than two decades of research on environmental sustainability practices in supply chains. The study analyzed findings from 47 studies representing more than 9,600 firms worldwide and provides a benchmark for understanding the factors that historically influenced companies to adopt environmentally responsible business practices before the major disruptions that began around 2019.

"Organizations today face increasing expectations from customers, investors, employees and regulators," Marculetiu said. "Understanding what motivates companies to embrace sustainable practices can help business leaders make more effective decisions as those expectations continue to evolve."

Together, the publications demonstrate Marculetiu's commitment to research that bridges academic scholarship and real-world business challenges. By combining rigorous analysis with direct engagement from business leaders and industry partners, her work provides actionable insights for organizations navigating increasingly complex supply chain environments.

As the supply chain research project continues, Marculetiu and her collaborators are seeking additional perspectives from business leaders, supply chain professionals and industry practitioners. The insights gathered will help inform future research and provide practical guidance for organizations facing ongoing economic and operational uncertainty.

For more information about the research initiative, contact the Williamson College of Business Administration at Youngstown State University.