Navigating Supply Chain challenges for SMEs during conflicted times: Webinar recap

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of many economies, but ongoing geopolitical tensions and economic volatility have made their operating environment increasingly challenging.

Our recent expert-led panel discussion, “Navigating Supply Chain Challenges for SMEs During Conflicted Times”, unpacked the complex realities shaping SME logistics today.

Moderated by Dr Shereen Nassar, Global Director of Logistics Studies at Edinburgh Business School, the discussion featured Captain Anuj Chopra, maritime executive and co-founder of ESG Plus LLC, and Mr Sudesh Chaturvedi, Managing Director of GAC Kuwait. Together, they explored how SMEs can build resilience through strategic foresight, regulatory compliance and digital innovation.

Key takeaways

• Resilience demands agility: SMEs must remain flexible and proactive in managing disruption.
• Governance is non-negotiable: ESG compliance is both a moral and commercial necessity.
• Digital transformation should be pragmatic: Integrate technology to enhance, not overwhelm.
• Measurement drives improvement: Visibility across emissions, partners, and performance is essential.
• People make resilience possible: Technology succeeds only when supported by skilled, adaptable teams.

Navigating geopolitical disruption

Opening the discussion, Captain Chopra painted a vivid picture of the current operating environment for SMEs: “At this time, there are about 600,000 small and medium enterprises in the UAE - that’s about 94% of all companies. These SMEs really drive the economy. They need a level playing field and support from the administration to function and do well because of geopolitical disruptions.”

He pointed to the Red Sea as a stark example of how regional instability can have global repercussions: “What’s happening in the Red Sea - with conflicts disrupting the flow of merchant vessels through Babu Mandab - is a serious problem. It suddenly increases freight rates and transit time.”

Mr Chaturvedi agreed that agility and foresight are essential in such conditions, highlighting the need for diversification and contingency planning: “Hold-back positions, free zones in the Middle East could be a good point where cargoes can be held in a situation like this where we need to take stock of what’s happening and where to go next. Our role is not just carrying cargo - it’s also advisory. We can help customers plan their business safely and long-term.”

Turning regulation into opportunity

As the conversation turned to sustainability, the panel agreed that environmental, social and governance (ESG) responsibility is now a baseline requirement - not an optional extra. Captain Chopra was emphatic: “All companies, irrespective of size, must measure and record their emissions - scope 1, 2 and 3 - to understand their footprint.”

Dr Nassar urged SMEs to see compliance not as a burden, but as an opportunity for differentiation, “Develop your sustainability strategy, build KPIs, and align them with external forces you must comply with. This kind of alignment with external forces will move this from a weakness to a positive”, she said.

With limited resources, however, smaller firms must prioritise carefully. Chopra advised a pragmatic approach: “As an SME, you’re always strapped for cash. Profitability is important, but cash flow for a small business is even more important. Try to understand what your customers and regulators want from you and do those first before you go into a voluntary structure.”

He added, “Quality and ESG functions must go straight to the top. No manipulations, no shortcuts. The senior management must make sure everything is delivered the right way to the customer.”

The digital imperative

From geopolitics to green targets, technology sits at the core of modern supply chain management. Yet the panellists cautioned against digital overreach.

“Digitisation is about enabling real-time disruption forecasting and transparent tracking,” explained Captain Chopra.

But he also warned that technology should enhance, not replace, human capability. “SMEs often have legacy systems. we should be able to integrate that history, that learning, that institutional knowledge and use it to weigh in on technology which we bring in”, he said.

Mr Chaturvedi echoed Captain Chopra’s thoughts, urging SMEs to scale their digital investment sensibly, stating: “Let’s differentiate between the need and want. SMEs should start much smaller and scale as needed - not as you want.”

Dr Nassar added: “Knowledge remains the key to judging AI itself. AI only provides us with things to decide about, but the act of decision-making still depends on our own understanding. Without knowledge, we cannot judge wisely - and that knowledge cannot come from a single source like AI.”

Why choose our online MSc Supply Chain Management and Logistics

As SMEs continue to navigate disruption, the need for leaders who can combine strategic foresight with digital and operational agility has never been greater. That’s where our online MSc Supply Chain Management and Logistics stands apart - offering you the knowledge, flexibility and confidence to lead effectively in complex, volatile markets.

Key benefits of our online MSc Supply Chain Management and Logistics include:

• 100% online and flexible: Study around work and life commitments with a fully online, self-paced format designed for global professionals.
• Accessible entry routes: Performance-Based Admissions recognise professional experience - no specialist prerequisites required.
• Industry-recognised accreditation: Accredited by CIPS and CILT, with exemptions that fast-track your path to professional membership.
• Career-focused learning: Develop strategic, digital and leadership capabilities aligned to global employer needs.
• Research-led and industry-shaped: Learn from experts leading innovation in sustainable and humanitarian logistics, digital integration and resilience.
• Future-proof skillset: Build expertise in analytics, systems thinking and sustainable supply chain leadership – key to thriving amid uncertainty.

Equip yourself for the future of Supply Chains

Edinburgh Business School’s online MSc in Supply Chain Management and Logistics prepares professionals to navigate precisely these challenges.

Accredited by CIPS and CILT, the fully online programme combines academic rigour with practical insight into global supply chain strategy, risk management, sustainability, and digital transformation.

Flexible, comprehensive, and designed for working professionals, it equips leaders with the tools to thrive amid disruption and drive meaningful, measurable change.

Learn more or apply today.