Resolve the Conflict Between Efficiency and Resilience
Rethinking performance metrics and buffers can reduce disruption even in highly streamlined operations.
Vishal Ahuja, Yasin Alan, and Mazhar ArıkanMay 13, 2026Reading Time: 12 min
Summary:
Studies of the airline industry show that resilience does not have to come at the cost of efficiency. Managers in a variety of industries ...
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Operational efficiency is critical for both financial success and customer satisfaction. Efficient systems, characterized by minimal buffers and idle time, tight schedules, and maximum asset utilization, allow organizations to do more with less, thereby boosting revenue and appealing to time-sensitive customers. However, such systems often lack resilience, increasing an organization’s vulnerability to operational disruptions.
The tension between efficiency and resilience is especially visible in the airline industry. A resilient airline network can absorb disruptions, protect passengers from severe service failures, and recover quickly...
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