Evaluating the impact of predictive AI in mitigating supply chain risk in UK SME manufacturers.
Project: Research
Project status
Active
Description
This study undertakes a systematic literature review of recent research to evaluate how predictive AI contributes to supply chain resilience in UK SMEs. Twenty‑two peer‑reviewed articles published between 2022 and 2025 were analysed to identify dominant supply chain risks, current applications of predictive AI within SCRM, and the effectiveness of these tools in mitigating demand, supply, operational, and financial risks. The thematic analysis revealed five overarching themes: predictive resilience, digital integration and maturity, barriers to adoption, mechanisms of risk reduction, and evaluation practices
Layman's description
This study looks at recent research to understand how predictive AI helps small and medium‑sized UK businesses make their supply chains more resilient.
Project Information
Project Type
ResearchProject Managed By
Time Period
29/08/2025 – 30/09/2029Status
ActiveKey Findings
The findings indicate that predictive AI enhances resilience by improving forecasting precision, enabling earlier detection of disruptions, and supporting agile, data‑driven decision‑making. Its strongest influence is observed in mitigating demand and operational risks, while evidence regarding more complex risks remains limited. Adoption across SMEs is uneven, constrained by financial limitations, skills shortages, data quality issues, and organisational resistance. Overall, predictive AI has the potential to strengthen supply chain resilience, but its effectiveness is contingent upon a firm’s digital maturity, data readiness, and capacity to integrate new technologies into existing operational processes.