Building Resilient Supply Chains: Two Industries in Digital Transformation

The electric vehicles and mobility apps sectors are leading the digital transformation of industry, yet both face significant supply chain vulnerabilities. Insights from the RISE-SME project shed light on how these sectors are navigating disruptions and strengthening resilience through strategic capabilities and technology adoption.

In the Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) ecosystem, political conflicts and crises emerge as the most critical vulnerabilities. These disruptions affect global market access, national policies, infrastructure development, and data-sharing regulations. Given the sector’s reliance on real-time data and interconnected services, political instability poses a serious threat to operational continuity.

Compounding these risks are technological disruptions, low digital maturity, and a shortage of skilled labor. Many MaaS providers struggle to keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies, often outpacing regulatory frameworks. Recruiting globally for advanced digital roles has become essential.

Despite these challenges, the sector’s resilience strategy emphasizes operational efficiency over deep transformation. Ensuring on-time service delivery and maintaining strong customer relationships are top priorities. Capabilities such as market strength and visibility—particularly real-time tracking and transparent communication—are central to maintaining user trust and satisfaction.

Technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Renewable Energy, and Digital Twins are increasingly adopted. AI supports automation and decision-making, while renewable energy aligns with sustainability goals. Digital Twins enable simulation and scenario planning to anticipate disruptions.

Interestingly, while adaptability and flexibility are valued—especially for entering new markets or responding to remote work trends—the sector places less emphasis on rapid response and transformation. This cautious approach reflects the complexity of MaaS systems and the critical need for uninterrupted service.

The electric vehicle sector faces a different but equally complex set of challenges. Key concerns include supplier and customer concentration, globalized and complex supply chains, and technological disruptions. These factors create high dependency on external suppliers, particularly outside Europe, increasing vulnerability to geopolitical and logistical shocks.

A shortage of skilled labor and the need for digital transformation further strain the sector. In response, companies prioritize visibility, efficiency, and market strength. Real-time data access and order tracking have become essential, especially following the semiconductor crisis. Maintaining production continuity and minimizing delays are also key goals.

Technologies such as advanced analytics, robotics, and B2B digital platforms are central to the sector’s resilience strategy. These tools enhance automation, collaboration, and decision-making. The concept of a digital passport is gaining traction, enabling full traceability of components and compliance with environmental standards.

While the electric vehicles sector scores high in preparedness, it places less emphasis on response and transformation capabilities. This reflects a stable yet rigid structure that may struggle to adapt quickly to disruptions, underscoring the need for greater agility and investment in digital infrastructure.

Both sectors share a strong focus on data-driven decision-making, real-time monitoring, and strategic partnerships. However, they diverge in transformation readiness and technology maturity. For researchers and industry leaders, these insights highlight the importance of tailoring resilience strategies to sector-specific risks and operational realities.

As disruptions grow more frequent and complex, investing in adaptive capabilities and digital infrastructure will be essential to sustaining competitiveness and ensuring continuity in these dynamic industries.