UB School of Management experts available to discuss worldwide supply chain impact of dockworker strike

Colorful cargo containers on ship near pier in Baltimore.

Release Date: October 2, 2024

Retailers have strengthened their supply chains in the wake of the pandemic, but a prolonged strike could be bad news for the holiday season, Wei says.

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“If a deal can be reached soon, consumers will hardly experience any differences, but as the strike continues, the potentially destructive impact on the holiday season will create enormous pressure on consumers, retailers and governments pushing for a deal.”
University at Buffalo School of Management

Mike Wei
Associate Professor of Operations Management and Strategy
University at Buffalo School of Management

Wei is an expert in supply chain management, dynamic pricing, revenue management and strategic consumer behavior.

According to Wei, the impact on consumers will depend on how quickly the union and companies can reach a deal:

  • If the union and companies can reach a deal in a week or two, consumers may only experience a small delay or slight price increase. Retailers have strengthened the robustness of their supply chains after the COVID-19 pandemic and can shield consumers from short-term supply chain interruption by relying on safety stock. 
  • For a prolonged strike, there will be snowballing, cascading effects: one day consumers may not feel anything, but all of a sudden, they could relive the fear of shortages and price gouging seen during the pandemic. Prolonged strikes not only prevent current containers from being unloaded and delivered but also limit these containers from being returned for future shipping, which could be bad news for this year’s holiday shopping season. 

“The timing of this strike is strategically perfect because retailers are preparing and replenishing their inventory for the holiday season,” says Wei. “If a deal can be reached soon, consumers will hardly experience any differences, but as the strike continues, the potentially destructive impact on the holiday season will create enormous pressure on consumers, retailers and governments pushing for a deal.”

Ananth Iyer
Dean and Professor
University at Buffalo School of Management

Iyer is a highly accomplished scholar in operations and supply chain management who has published five books and more than 50 journal articles and book chapters on these subjects. 

To schedule an interview with Professor Wei or Dean Iyer, contact Kevin Manne, associate director of communications, at 716-645-5238 or kjmanne@buffalo.edu.

The UB School of Management is recognized for its emphasis on real-world learning, community and impact, and the global perspective of its faculty, students and alumni. The school also has been ranked by Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes and U.S. News & World Report for the quality of its programs and the return on investment it provides its graduates. For more information about the UB School of Management, visit management.buffalo.edu.

Media Contact Information

Contact
Kevin Manne
Associate Director of Communications
School of Management
716-645-5238
kjmanne@buffalo.edu