Spanning Organisational and Geographical Boundaries: Understanding Supply Chain Risk Management in Hidden Champions | 2026
Authors: Mayer M.; Mayer M.H.
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-658-50453-3
Journal: Spanning Organisational and Geographical Boundaries: Understanding Supply Chain Risk Management in Hidden Champions
Year: 2026
Publisher: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden
Document Type: Book
Open Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access
Cited by: 0
Hidden Champions are small and medium-sized family businesses that significantly contribute to employment and economic output. Despite facing shortages of skilled labour, they demonstrate strong resilience to disruptions. Predominantly located in the German-speaking regions of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, they lead the mechanical engineering sector. Globalisation is crucial for their growth, but complex international supply chains - challenged recently by COVID-19 - are vulnerable to disruptions. To enhance resilience, these companies rely on cooperative Risk Management with their often smaller Supply Chain Partners. Interorganisational training fosters common values, shared standards and improved communication, helping to manage risks effectively. This study, based on interviews with senior managers, uniquely highlights the importance of Hidden Champions understanding and enhancing their supply chain risk management practices in a cooperative way, strengthening the supply chain against future challenges. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden GmbH, part of Springer Nature 2026.
Personnel; Supply chain management; Supply chains; Austria; Economic output; Engineering sectors; Family business; Mechanical; Organisational; Risks management; Skilled labor; Supply-chain risks; Switzerland; Risk management