The identification of critical supply network segments in theory and practice

Due to the tremendous increase in complexity and uncertainty in highly dynamic supply networks the identification of critical supply chain partners becomes a key topic. Existing models to solve this problem are highly quantitative, have a static and far too narrow focus – and they are not applied in day-to-day practice. This paper discusses new approaches of network segmentation but also investigates in a series of expert interviews how “real” supply chain professionals handle this task. It turns out, that this is done in a continuous process including all kinds of information such as soft facts and implicit knowledge.