Wartime Supply Chain Resilience: Crisis Management Capabilities of Ukrainian Agribusinesses

Abstract

This study explores how Ukrainian agribusinesses manage operations under prolonged geopolitical disruption by examining the wartime resilience strategies and pathway divergence of Kernel and Astarta. Drawing on a qualitative comparative case study approach, the paper combines the 4R (Reliability, Relationships, Responsiveness, and Resilience) framework with dynamic capabilities theory. The 4R framework is used to identify the main dimensions of wartime resilience, while dynamic capabilities theory explains how firms sense emerging threats, seize adaptive opportunities, and transform resources, routines, and stakeholder relationships over time. The findings highlight resilience as a multidimensional and evolving capability shaped by context-specific assets and stakeholder networks. This study provides rare insights into strategic organizational adaptability in active conflict zones and contributes to the resilience and dynamic capabilities literature in the context of extreme, long-term disruptions.