Leo Berlien successfully defended his dissertation “Adaptive Supply Chain Governance under Geopolitical Uncertainty”
We are pleased to announce that Leonard Hans Berlien has successfully defended his doctoral dissertation, “Adaptive Supply Chain Governance under Geopolitical Uncertainty,” at the University of Mannheim on April 17, 2026.
His research addresses one of the most pressing challenges in contemporary operations and supply chain management: how firms adapt their governance structures in an environment shaped by geopolitical disruptions, sanctions, and increasing regulatory complexity. The dissertation develops a novel perspective by conceptualizing resilience not merely as a reactive capability, but as a form of adaptive governance embedded in organizational decision-making.
The work stands out in two important respects. First, it tackles a highly timely and relevant topic. By examining three empirical contexts – Western firms operating under Russian sanctions, the German defense industry in the aftermath of the Zeitenwende, and insolvency dynamics in European SME manufacturing – the dissertation offers a rich, multi-level perspective on supply chain adaptation under uncertainty. Second, the study is based on exceptional empirical access. Drawing on extensive interviews with senior executives and industry experts, including C-suite decision-makers and specialists in highly sensitive domains, the research provides rare and valuable insights into real-world strategic responses to geopolitical risk.
Across its three studies, the dissertation identifies key mechanisms through which firms adapt, including the internalization of compliance as a strategic capability, the institutionalization of flexibility in sourcing and governance, and the development of anticipatory awareness through integrated information processing.
With this work, Dr. Berlien makes a significant contribution to both academic research and managerial practice in supply chain management. We warmly congratulate him on this achievement and wish him continued success in his professional career.