Risk Management in Global Supply Chain Networks: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Objectives

The main objectives of this study were to explore the sources and intercon-nectedness of supply chain risks and analyze risk management constructs and approaches. The objectives also included measuring which supply chain risk management strategies, and to which extent, are being used in different organizations.

Summary

This thesis provides more insight on how organizations operating in Finland view supply chain risk management. 18 organizations with global supply chain networks responded to an online survey conducted during the thesis process. The responses were analyzed and then compared to an ISO 31000 concep-tual framework. The results showed the extent to which different organizations have adopted supply chain risk management practices.

Conclusions

Based on the findings of the survey, majority of the organizations believe sup-ply chain risk management to be important and that it increases their organi-zation’s value. However, the degree to which these organizations practice supply chain risk management varies significantly. The analysis showed that organizations, which had suffered a significant impact on certain indicators, were now adopting more proactive risk management tools. Overall, the find-ings of this thesis are in line with previous research. Thus, this thesis provides more insight to the existing knowledge.