Today, industrial companies typically operate international production networks with globally distributed sites. While these networks are highly efficient, they are also vulnerable to disruptions and strongly influenced by external factors and country‑specific developments. Socio‑political and economic risks at the country level can significantly affect the stability and performance of these networks.
In an Innosuisse‑funded project conducted with four Swiss industrial companies, we developed a systematic approach to identify and assess country‑level risks. This work resulted in several management tools and methods, including the Plant Risk Matrix. These tools enable companies to capture and monitor risks through data‑driven insights.
The Plant Risk Matrix classifies production sites based on their strategic importance and the associated country risk. Site importance is derived from internal data, such as the number of unique products, while country risk is assessed using external economic and socio‑political indicators. Continuous risk monitoring is integrated into advanced software, enabling multi‑level, data‑based risk analysis and scenario planning for future country developments.
Project Manager
