Abstract

Background and problem statement: Since December 2019 the world have been largely affected by the new corona virus (Covid-19). The corporate industry has experienced the consequences of whole nations isolating themselves to contain the virus. The complex networks of today’s supply chains further complicate this situation. This has challenged companies expertise and preparedness within areas of supply chain risk management and further within procurement.

Purpose: This study aims to identify how companies within the Swedish manufacturing industry work with risk management in supply chains mainly targeting risk management within procurement. Furthermore, the study aims to identify how these companies have been affected by the pandemic outbreak and how they have handled the situation by using risk management strategies. Based on this purpose two research questions were constructed.

Method: A qualitative study design with some contribution from the quantitative study design have been carried out through semi-structured interviews. By analysing secondary data such as literature and peer-reviewed articles a theoretical framework was constructed.

Results: Supply chain risk management is not formalized as a term within the industry, although it is safe to say that companies work with activities and strategies within the area. Strategies that proved effective during the pandemic outbreak were safety stock, geographical placement of suppliers, risk identification and risk analysis. Flexibility within the supply chains also proved to be vital to the success of the companies during this time.