Towards Antifragility - when resilience is no longer enough

Welcome to the next phase of my research - engaging with as wide a swathe of Australian Defence Industry as achievable in order to capture the experiences, insights and issues that have peppered the context of our daily business over the past years.

Undertaking this research prompts both thoughts, questions and new opportunities for learning - I have found myself comparing Defence Industry to the ecosystems of the African savannah prompting research into what enables stability in such complex systems. Now, this reading, as well as research into decision making in Defence programs (since White Papers began) will shape my questions as we move into an ethnographic phase.

In plainer language, as I develop my thesis: Disruption, Disorder & Deployments – Building the Antifragile Supply Chain: A Case Study of Australian Defence Industry I have chosen the central research question of

“How can the Australian Defence Industry build more antifragile supply chains better adapted to survive and thrive in times of disorder?”

This research aims to uncover key strategies enabling Australian businesses and supply chains to thrive amid disruptions, ultimately turning challenges into growth opportunities. 

One question that you may ask is: Why? Why undertake this research? There are a number of key reasons - the first few include personal pride and the never-ending need to be doing something but there are some particular academic and professional motivators to share. Firstly - the recent pandemic showed us, globally, nationally and locally how easily or supply chains and systems that support our way of life can be disrupted. In counterpoint to the disarray and challenges, we - as individuals, businesses and communities adapted in response. Resilience and unprecedented were the words that marked our days. Capturing those experiences and insights now is essential - and that is what I am setting out to do through undertaking interviews with willing participants who have experienced disruption in the Defence Industry environment (shameless plug: ajmackresearch.youcanbook.me to make time for an interview).

Another reason why, is from a national security perspective. Ensuring the effectiveness and ongoing efficiency within our supply chains is essential for supporting the Australian Defence Force - both in daily operations and ensuring the long-term sustainability of key capabilities throughout their respective life cycles. Defence Industry supply chains are vital for ensuring economic prosperity and national security, particularly when they can respond positively to disruptions and deliver beyond the planned outcomes. This Antifragile approach - the ability to benefit from times of disruption- is essential in supporting military readiness but also stabilizes the wider global economic framework within which these supply chains interact and operate.

My research is intended to identify the key characteristics and strategies that enhance adaptability and transcend resilience, which are critical during unexpected crises - the Black Swans of recent times. By focusing on supply chains that demonstrate an ability to not just survive but also to adapt and thrive during disruptions, we can develop better risk management frameworks. These frameworks can serve as blueprints for building more resilient supply chains across other sectors, ultimately contributing to a stronger, more secure ADF and economic prospects.

Undertaking this research is not just about safeguarding against the negative impacts of disruptions but also about leveraging potential opportunities that arise during such challenges to foster innovation and strategic advantage for Australian businesses to drive gains when the next disruption unfolds.

I look forwards to meeting with as many members of the Australian Defence Industry sector - whether from the Primes, the ever-essential Small Businesses, the manufacturers, innovators and decision makers to hear your experiences and thoughts.

Amanda