Abstract
This research aims to explore how companies in mountain regions structure their supply chains compared to those in non-mountain areas. Mountain regions present unique challenges for supply chain management due to geographical, topographical, and spatial factors. These challenges make companies in these regions particularly susceptible to supply chain disruptions. The study aims to understand how companies' location influences their supply chain structure, which is critical for resilience and the ability to adapt to and recover from disruptions.
The research question guiding this study is: "How do companies in mountain regions structure their supply chains compared to those in non-mountain areas?". The methodology uses secondary data to compare the characteristics of the supply chain structure of mountain and non-mountain firms. The FactSet platform will collect data on firm profiles and supply network structure. Firms in mountain regions will be identified using GPS coordinates and the GMBA V2.0 mountain map in QGIS. Non-mountain counterparts will be identified using nearest-neighbour propensity score matching. The impact of mountain location on supply chain structure will be determined using ordinary least square regression.
The expected findings suggest that companies in mountain regions will exhibit narrower and less fragmented networks with fewer supply chain partners. This tendency is attributed to the high specialization of many mountain firms, which often serve niche markets and require suppliers with specific capabilities. Sectoral differences may also influence variations in supply chain structures.
The relevance and contribution of this research are significant for both theory and practice. Theoretically, it is one of the first studies to explore how location decisions affect supply chain design, particularly the decision to locate in mountain versus non-mountain regions. Practically, the results will offer best practices and recommendations for companies operating in mountain areas, informing managers about the strengths and weaknesses of their current supply chain structure decisions. This research will also provide valuable information for policymakers and community leaders to support regional resilience.