Catastrophes, Supply Chains, Preparedness, Relationships, Resilience… or Not
This website provides resources related to Supply Chain Resilience, focused on serving the urgent needs of large populations that have survived catastrophic disruption and destruction. These resources are curated and often created by Philip J. Palin (see link above for biographical background). The Conversation link offers brief essays and research notes giving irregular attention to emerging issues. On August 1, 2025 Phil retired from real-time operational Supply Chain Resilience work.
(In August and September 2025, this website will undergo major revisions.)
Out of the Whirlwind
Supply and Demand after Hurricane Maria
How demand and supply networks in Puerto Rico responded to the impact of Hurricane Maria. Particular attention is given to water, food, and fuel. Both enterprise-level and individual decisions and their operational implications are described. Available for purchase online or in leading bookstores.
He Looks at the Earth
Catastrophe, Recovery, and the Cascadia Earthquake
In this novel-like narrative, key issues of catastrophe preparedness and Supply Chain Resilience are dramatically engaged. What happens when a megathrust and tsunami leaves millions of people trapped between mountains and ocean? Does systemic preparedness enhance spontaneous response? Free download.
Vital Flows
Supply Chain Resilience in Treacherous Times
What questions are well-suited for preserving and enhancing high volume, high velocity flows? What behaviors productively facilitate flows and fulfill human needs when major flows are disrupted? What strategies advance Supply Chain Resilience in treacherous times? Free download.
fractus
Essentials of Supply Chain Resilience
Time + Space = Complexity: Convergence > Disruption. Five learning modules providing an overview of fundamental frameworks for supply chains as complex adaptive networks. Free Access. (Original 2015 content has been slightly updated in August 2025).