الملخص الإنجليزي
Supply chains (SCs) spanning various industries, such as the water sector, have been significantly
impacted by the disruptive forces of the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, in Oman, the water supply
chain's significance must be recognized, as it not only ensures access to clean drinking water but
also grapples with challenges like water scarcity, population growth, and urbanization. This vital
chain supports critical sectors, including agriculture, the economy, and public health, all while
upholding environmental sustainability. In the face of escalating climate change threats and
potential disturbances, a resilient water supply chain becomes imperative to uphold consistent
water distribution, safeguarding Oman's holistic development and well-being.
This study endeavors to discern and prioritize the key drivers that bolstered the water sector's
ability to withstand the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nine pivotal drivers for supply
chain resilience (SCR) within the water sector were identified by delving into relevant research
articles and expert perspectives. These drivers were meticulously evaluated by employing the
innovative Best-Worst Method, a modern approach within Multi-Criteria Decision-Making
techniques (MCDM). A comprehensive questionnaire was administered to 69 respondents
associated with an Omani water service company.
The outcomes of the study underscore that the foremost driver contributing to the enhancement of
the water supply chain's resilience was Risk Management. As influential drivers, flexibility,
information sharing, adaptive capability, trust, security, visibility, Agility, and redundancy were
also identified. The findings were rigorously compared against the existing pertinent literature,
aligning with and enriching the ongoing discourse in this domain. This research presents an
invaluable resource for both academic exploration and practical implementation. Scholars can utilize these findings as a launching pad for future research, while industry practitioners can leverage them to fortify their organizational resilience strategies
