Supply chain leaders face mounting disruptions & turn to AI solutions
New research has found that 73% of supply chain leaders encountered supplier disruptions in the past year, with nearly a quarter experiencing significant financial impacts as a result.
A survey of 200 senior procurement and supply chain executives from the United States and United Kingdom, conducted by Sphera, shed light on the persistent challenges faced by organisations in maintaining stable supply chains amid ongoing economic and geopolitical stresses. The survey found that almost one in four respondents (23%) reported significant revenue or cost losses due to supplier issues, while a further 50% acknowledged minor losses from similar disruptions.
The study highlights a shifting landscape in supply chain management, driven by factors such as increased tariffs, evolving regulatory environments, and intensifying geopolitical tensions. Nearly all executives surveyed (94.5%) indicated they are likely to relocate critical parts of their supply chain operations to alternative regions in response to these pressures.
Operational barriers
Despite widespread intentions to reconfigure supply chains geographically, the research found that many organisations encounter significant operational challenges. Among respondents, 33% cited the speed of supplier risk checks as a primary operational barrier, while 26% pointed to compliance documentation and audit readiness as key concerns. Data accuracy in emerging markets was also noted by 21.5% of respondents, and 16% highlighted difficulties with achieving visibility into tier 2 and 3 suppliers.
The cumulative effect of these barriers, according to the research, is a persistent drag on profitability, undermining both investor confidence and organisational growth prospects.
"The world is going through a reset in supply chain strategy," says Paul Marushka, CEO and President at Sphera. "The linear model of stretching supply chains globally to maximize efficiency and lower costs is going away. Trade restrictions, export controls and geopolitical disruption around the world continue to change the game. Firms require an agile, segmented and geographically aligned approach that builds in resilient sourcing strategies concurrently to balance risk."
The findings reinforce a growing consensus that supply chain disruptions have become a regular occurrence, rather than sporadic shocks, requiring organisations to reassess their risk management and operational strategies.
Adoption of artificial intelligence
To address these challenges, many supply chain and procurement leaders are turning to technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), to enhance decision-making and streamline risk management. The survey found that 31% of respondents consider AI-generated supplier risk summaries essential for making rapid operational decisions. An additional 29% saw AI as important for speeding up strategic decisions, while 24% highlighted the need for precise and timely analyses delivered in under 60 seconds.
According to the survey, the executive boards of these organisations expect tangible results from such technology adoption, with 28% citing cost savings or cost avoidance as a key outcome, 24% seeking revenue protection from operational disruptions, and 21% targeting top-line revenue growth.
Survey methodology
The survey was carried out in September 2025, involving senior procurement and supply chain executives (Chief Procurement Officers and Chief Supply Chain Officers) from a cross-section of industries including manufacturing, retail, transport, and utilities. All participating organisations have more than 25 employees, representing both established and emerging business sectors in the US and UK.
Sphera, which provided the research, offers software and consulting services focused on sustainability and operational risk management. The data underline the evolving risks and the urgency for agile supply chain models capable of withstanding global disruptions.
