JUST-IN-TIME MANUFACTURING FOR IMPROVING GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE

In an increasingly volatile and interconnected global economy, supply chain resilience has emerged as a critical
strategic priority for manufacturers and logistics providers. Traditionally celebrated for its cost-efficiency and
waste minimization, Just-In-Time (JIT) manufacturing has recently faced scrutiny due to its perceived fragility in
the face of unexpected disruptions such as pandemics, geopolitical conflicts, and natural disasters. However, this
study re-examines the JIT paradigm through a resilience-focused lens, proposing an evolved framework in which
JIT principles are enhanced with digital technologies, diversified sourcing, and real-time visibility to bolster
supply chain adaptability and recovery capabilities. At a broad level, the paper explores the foundational principles
of JIT manufacturing, such as inventory minimization, synchronized production, and lean operations, which
inherently contribute to process efficiency but often at the expense of redundancy. Narrowing the focus, the study
investigates how integrating JIT with predictive analytics, supplier risk mapping, and agile logistics systems can
transform it from a vulnerability into a resilience enabler. It highlights strategies such as nearshoring, flexible
contracting, multi-modal transport planning, and IoT-driven inventory tracking, which support a dynamic response
to demand fluctuations and supply shocks. Through comparative case studies in the automotive and electronics
sectors, the research demonstrates that a digitally enhanced JIT model not only preserves operational efficiency
but also significantly improves risk awareness, response speed, and recovery strength. The findings challenge the
dichotomy between lean and resilient supply chains, suggesting that with strategic integration, JIT can serve as a
foundational pillar for resilient supply chain architectures in the post-pandemic era.