CORPORATE MATURITY DESIDERATA IN THE FACE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC €“ THE DIGITAL PLANE OF LOGISTICS MICROFOUNDATIONS

Background: In the light of the economic slowdown and significant strategic uncertainty resulting from the currently prevailing SARS-Cov-2 epidemic crisis, it is reasonable to undertake research to identify key competences that are relevant to the continuity of the supply chain functioning. The logistics processes in their current shape will undergo a significant change. Therefore, based on a widespread discussion that has been recently taking place in the environment of scientists, politicians, local government officials and management practitioners, the question once again arises about the level of preparation of enterprises for functioning in this specific environment. Aiming to fill the existing gap in knowledge, a series of studies was conducted, the main purpose of which was to recognize key competences from the point of view of existence in the conditions triggered by the COVID-19 crisis. Considering the empirical evidence confirming the existence of a strong relationship between company stability and an effective supply chain, the following research direction aggregates logistic microfoundations to the attribute of a "mature" enterprise.

Methods: Referring to the outlined objective, using the method of reconstruction and interpretation of the literature on the subject, it was recommended to nominate questions assessing the level of maturity of logistics subsystems (theoretical layer) as a necessary action. At the conceptual (design) level, it was crucial to compile the research tool being the resultant of the related literature exploration (theoretical model) and discussion among deliberately selected experts ("virtual" brainstorming). At the empirical level, this enabled the recognition of competences that determine the survival of enterprises in crisis conditions, and thus allowed the development of recommendations for managers of manufacturing enterprises.

Results: The paper proposes a procedure and a tool to identify key capabilities that determine the survival of enterprises in COVID-19 crisis conditions. The brainstorming research model reflects the areas of digital technology that the manufacturers, in the context of the current pandemic, should absorb (coincidence). Moreover, it was established that the process of economic recovery will take place in cooperation with enterprises absorbing the logistic management model based on digital technologies. To sum up, it should be noted that the maturity of such an enterprise is manifested in the use of descriptions defined in the research, not only in terms of production, but also in the entire supply chain. All these activities need to be harmonized, creating a crisis-proof enterprise. The organization of such an enterprise is characterized by delegating as many tasks as possible to competent employees who, using the knowledge and available digital technologies, add value throughout the entire chain.

Conclusions: The results of the research confirmed the author's belief that on the one hand digital technologies imply the possibility of surviving in the face of the crisis caused by COVID-19 (continuity of the supply chain, remote work without participation, or with limited human participation, etc.), on the other, implemented by enterprises, can be a kind of "protective shield" against the negative effects of a pandemic; from the perspective of the issue taken in the research work, they determine the maturity of the company's logistics subsystems. It seems that relatively small scientific recognition and complexity of problems occurring in business practice justify treating the COVID-19 issue as the subject of research, which is reflected in this publication.