SUPPLIER RISK MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

In an era of increasingly globalised and volatile supply chains, Supplier Risk Management (SRM) is gaining prominence among scholars and practitioners. Despite its strategic importance, SRM literature remains fragmented and lacks a unified framework that adequately integrates supplier-specific risk dimensions. This study presents a systematic literature review (SLR) of 46 peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2002 and 2025, aiming to synthesize current academic insights and highlight knowledge gaps. Using the PRISMA methodology, the review categorizes key supplier risks, evaluates publication trends, and maps out the industry and geographical focus of existing research. Thematic analysis reveals a growing emphasis on resilience, strategic sourcing, and supplier evaluation, with risks grouped into five core categories: procurement, production, delivery, environmental, and strategic. Analytical tools and techniques used in SRM span from traditional checklists and scorecards to advanced models such as fuzzy logic, AHP, and AI-driven decision frameworks. While digital tools and real-time monitoring are increasingly cited, their application remains limited, especially in developing regions. This review identifies major gaps in geographic representation particularly in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia as well as limited longitudinal and cross-sectoral research. It contributes a structured classification of risks and mitigation strategies, offering both theoretical synthesis and practical recommendations. By mapping the evolution, focus, and shortcomings of SRM literature, this study provides actionable insights for researchers and practitioners. It advocates for context-sensitive, digitally enabled, and empirically grounded approaches to managing supplier risks in today's dynamic global environment.