An analysis of sources of risk in the consumer electronics industry

Abstract

The consumer electronics industry is a $240 billion global industry with a small number of highly competitive global players. We describe many of the risks associated with any global supply chain in this industry. As illustration, we also list steps that Samsung Electronics and its subsidiary, Samsung Electronics UK, have taken to mitigate these risks. Our description of the risks and illustration of mitigation efforts provides the backdrop to identify areas of future research.

Keywords:

• Supply chain risk
• consumer electronics industry
• vertically integrated supply chains

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr Byung-Gak Son for assistance with research. The first author would like to thank Cass Business School for research assistance through the RAE Research Fund, 2004–2006.