Impact pathways: geopolitics, risk and ethics in critical minerals supply chains
本文通过与关键矿产国际联盟合作，采访行业领袖，揭示了地缘政治、风险和伦理如何影响关键矿产供应链，并提出了四个需要学者关注的研究路径：风险与韧性、供应链不透明、供应约束和伦理。
Purpose This pathway paper highlights how geopolitics, risk and ethics affect critical minerals (CMs) supply chains (SCs). It identifies pathways to enable operations and SC management scholars to support this under-researched industry. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative research was undertaken in partnership with the Critical Minerals International Alliance (CMIA). Interviews were conducted with senior industry leaders from across CMs supply networks. Findings The CMs industry is distinctly different from conventional SCs and would greatly benefit from the development and application of operations and SC management theories. Research limitations/implications The four pathways that require scholars’ attention comprise risk and resilience, SC opacity, supply constraints and ethics. Practical implications CM s are essential for products such as smart phones and the technologies required for decarbonisation and achieving net zero. The pathways address multifaceted challenges of benefit to industry stakeholders. Social implications Improving the understanding of CMs SCs will support the decarbonisation agenda. Reducing the opacity within SCs would help address governance issues and curb unethical behaviours. Originality/value This paper draws on the expertise and insights gained from industry leaders. It establishes pathways and proposes theories and research questions for addressing the impact of geopolitics on CM operations and SCs.