Mapping the Future of Global Supply Chains
October 2023
University of Cambridge

Introduction
Dive into the complex world of global supply chains with insights from the University of Cambridge! Researchers are rallying for a massive effort to map out the intricate web of connections that could pinpoint how to slash tax evasion in the EU by €130 billion. They're pushing for alliances that could safeguard supplies, monitor the green transition, and uphold human rights. With a mix of humor and urgency, they argue that understanding these networks is not just beneficial but essential. Ready to unravel the supply chain mystery?
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Discover how this topic shapes your world and future
Unraveling the Web of Global Connections
Imagine a world where every item you use daily – from the smartphone in your hand to the sneakers on your feet – is the end product of a vast, intricate web of companies scattered across the globe. This web is known as the supply chain, and it's what ensures that the raw materials harvested or extracted in one country can eventually transform into the products you love and rely on. But what happens when a link in this chain breaks? Suddenly, the sneakers you've been eyeing are out of stock indefinitely, or the price of your favorite snack skyrockets. Researchers are urging the formation of alliances to map these global supply networks more thoroughly, not just to prevent these inconveniences but to tackle larger issues like tax evasion, supply security, and even ensuring that products are made sustainably and ethically. For you, this could mean a more stable world where the products you enjoy are always available, affordably priced, and responsibly made. Now, isn't that a world worth striving for?
Speak like a Scholar

Supply chain
This is the entire journey of a product, from raw materials to the finished goods you use. It includes all the steps involved in making the product and getting it to you.

Interdependencies
This fancy term simply means how things rely on each other. In a supply chain, if one company faces a problem, this can affect others too.

Micro-datasets
These are detailed collections of data, often about specific, small-scale aspects, like how a single company operates within the larger economy.

Machine learning
A type of artificial intelligence that allows software to get better at making predictions or decisions based on data.

Tax evasion
This is when individuals or companies illegally avoid paying taxes. Mapping supply chains could make it harder for businesses to hide their earnings.

Sustainable practice
This refers to conducting business in a way that is not only profitable but also responsible towards the environment and society.
Independent Research Ideas

The ripple effect of supply chain disruptions on global economies
Investigate how a single disruption in the supply chain can have a domino effect on the global economy, using specific examples from recent history.

Artificial intelligence and supply chain mapping
Explore how AI and machine learning technologies are revolutionizing the way we understand and map global supply networks.

The role of tax policy in supply chain transparency
Examine how different countries’ tax policies, like the standardized VAT collection, can impact supply chain transparency and tax evasion.

Sustainability in the supply chain
Research the challenges and solutions for ensuring that all parts of the supply chain operate in an environmentally friendly and ethical manner.

Interconnected economies and pandemic response
Study how the interconnectedness of global supply chains affected the response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on specific sectors or products.
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