Knowledge-based resilience and robustness of travel agencies in facing tourism supply chain disruptions

Purpose This study integrates the knowledge-based view (KBV) and dynamic capability theory (DCT) to explore how market knowledge enhances resilience and robustness in tourism supply chains (TSCs), shaping pre- and post-disruption performance. It examines market intelligence as a critical resource for risk identification, strategic adaptation and operational stability. Resilience enables firms to anticipate and adapt to disruptions, while robustness ensures operational continuity amid external shocks. Design/methodology/approach A stratified random survey of 415 travel agencies in Taiwan was conducted. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to analyze the effects of resilience and robustness mediation. PLS-SEM was chosen for its ability to handle complex relationships and latent constructs, ensuring robust empirical validation. Findings Market knowledge enhances resilience and robustness, which mediate its impact on TSC performance. Resilience fosters proactive crisis response, while robustness ensures stability through supplier diversification and digital integration. These insights extend beyond Taiwan, offering global relevance for tourism markets facing pandemics, geopolitical instability and climate disruptions. Practical implications To enhance adaptability, travel agencies should adopt AI-driven market analytics, supplier diversification and scenario-based crisis management. Policymakers can develop regulatory frameworks for crisis preparedness and sustainable supply chains, ensuring economic stability and long-term resilience. This research supports sustainable tourism, promoting adaptive, data-driven and resilient business models in a volatile environment. Originality/value This study applies KBV and DCT to tourism supply chain resilience, emphasizing market knowledge as a key to proactive (resilience) and structural (robustness) crisis responses. Unlike prior studies viewing resilience as reactive, this research highlights its anticipatory role, while robustness emerges as a knowledge-driven enabler of stability. By distinguishing pre- and post-disruption performance, this study advances crisis management insights with global relevance.