Supply chain risk management in SMEs: analysing the barriers

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to identify barriers to risk management in supply chains of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and to understand their mutual relationships. Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) was applied to present a hierarchy-based model and the contextual relationships among these barriers. The research shows that there exists a group of barriers that have high driving power and low dependence and are of strategic importance. The proposed model provides a useful tool for SME supply chain managers to focus on those variables that are most important for effective risk management in supply chains.