Background: In recent years, global supply chains have experienced increasing disruptions from geopolitics, pandemics, and technology. Over this background of external shocks, internal organisations' dynamics -in particular, employee resignations-?have become a central though relatively uninvestigated element of supply chain vulnerability. This paper examines the impact of mid-to-senior-level exit on the operational continuity, morale, and resilience within Indian MSMEs.
Objectives: The main objective of this research is to study the interface between firm resignations and supply chain disruptions concerning resilience strategies that are human-centred and operationally efficient. The paper also seeks to inform policy guidelines and frameworks that promote the ability of MSMEs to manage their workforce transition while ensuring supply chain integrity.
Methods: A qualitative-descriptive study was conducted, using semi-structured interviews with 24 SC professionals from the MSMEs in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. Supplemental document analyses of internal memos, audit reports, and resignation reports added contextual richness. Pattern identification of disruption, emotional consequences, and adaptive responses was carried out using thematic analysis.
Results: The results show the extent to which resignations from procurement and logistics roles subsequently cause an array of operational ripple effects such as supplier delays, compliance breaches, and morale reduction. However, companies that had taken steps such as cross-functional training, digital Procurement systems, and emotionally intelligent leadership proved to be more resilient and quicker to recover.
Conclusion: The study has implications that exist is no more an HR event, a strategic inflexion point that requires planned mitigation. Through embedding emotional intelligence, digital preparedness, and policy congruence in the supply chain governance operating at MSMEs, the latter could turn reactive disruptions into a platform for responsive growth and enduring recovery.