In a global context marked by a multi-crisis resulting from overlapping and interacting geopolitical, climatic, economic, and technological crises, supply chains are experiencing deep, profound, and structural tensions. Laurent Livolsi and Christelle Camman, Professors in management sciences and co-directors of the “supply chain management & logistics services provision Foundation AMU” chair, along with Nathalie Merminod, Associate Professor and Director of CRET-LOG; Stéphane Navarra, President of France Supply Chain; and Yann de Feraudy, Co-president of France Supply Chain and Vice-President of the European Logistics Association [*] shed light on how the geopolitical transformation of international exchanges is reshaping supply chain governance, performance, and organization.
Companies are now at the heart of state power strategies. The interplay between states and businesses, especially in areas like logistics and supply chain, reveals that economic players are both the means and target of geopolitical strategies. States not only affirm their strategic influence on commercial flows through tariffs or restrictive measures but also contribute to restructuring global trade routes. Economic ports and corridors are emerging as major strategic assets, influencing economic sovereignty, industrial competitiveness, and territorial resilience.
The geopolitical transformation redefines the governance of supply chains by making geopolitics a central variable in structuring and managing supply chains. This evolution is accompanied by the emergence of new performance indicators, including expanded dimensions like operational resilience, flow traceability, environmental footprint tracking, geopolitical risk management, and access to strategic resources.
The contemporary multi-crisis contributes to reshaping companies’ supply chains’ structure. This involves strategic choices regarding various supply chain functions, sourcing considerations, supply chain operations strategies, and the questioning of assetless business models. The transformations in supply chains highlight the critical role of supply chains in performance, economic competitiveness, state resilience, and sovereignty. Researchers emphasize the need for interdisciplinary approaches to shed light on these issues and support economic and political decision-makers. Strengthening ties and sustaining cross-disciplinary perspectives are crucial in navigating the current challenges.
