Supply Chain Risk Rises as Tech Dependence Grows
Operators managing global sourcing face rising exposure in technology systems, energy markets and shipping routes.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Remote Work
KPMG International released the report "Building a Shock-Resilient Supply Chain," finding that 70% of business leaders globally reported higher risk exposure over the past two years. For companies that rely on global sourcing, the findings point to rising pressure on supply-chain planning.
Why it matters
Geopolitical tensions, energy disruptions, cyber threats and climate-related risks have increased the need for supply-chain resilience. The report's respondents named technology and AI disruption and geopolitical conflict as the risks most likely to shape their operations.
The survey drew on 109 senior executives and business leaders across India, the United States, China, Japan and Germany. Seventy percent said their risk exposure rose over two years, while 70% also said they were confident in maintaining critical operations during a major external disruption.
The players
KPMG International
A global professional services network offering audit, tax and advisory services to businesses across industries, which produced the report through its risk advisory practice.
Ipsos
A global market research firm that conducted the pulse survey underpinning the report's findings.
The details
The report links supply-chain exposure to specific stages: 46% of respondents said technology and digital dependencies were their most exposed stage, while 39% pointed to delivered costs and price volatility and 33% to shipping and logistics. Respondents also flagged energy markets as under strain from the ongoing conflict in Iran and disruptions to traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Findings draw on KPMG's Dynamic Risk Assessment methodology and expert interviews alongside the pulse survey.
Timeline
Past two years: respondents reported rising risk exposure for their organisations.
Next two years: technology and AI disruption expected to have the greatest business impact.
Next three to five years: 56% expect external disruptions to cause severe operational or cost effects.
Market Landscape
The report builds on KPMG's Dynamic Risk Assessment methodology and extends it to supply-chain resilience at a time of energy-market strain tied to the Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruptions. Its emphasis on technology dependencies as the most exposed stage positions AI and digital risk as a central planning concern alongside traditional geopolitical exposure.
Operators should reassess which supply-chain stages depend on digital systems and AI tools, since that is where survey respondents reported the greatest exposure. Planning for delivered-cost volatility and shipping disruption should run alongside those technology reviews.
The takeaway
The report's core signal is that operators now expect disruption to reach operations and costs within three to five years, not as an occasional event. Businesses should review their digital and technology dependencies in the supply chain and track energy-market and shipping conditions in the next planning cycle.
Further reading
For broader context on how distributed operations and digital dependencies shape business continuity, explore Remote Work coverage.
